How much longer are you willing to suffer before something changes?

In this powerful solo episode, Ash explores a recurring theme she’s been discussing with people lately: have you truly had enough? Because whether it's alcohol, a relationship, a career, perfectionism, or an old way of thinking, lasting change rarely happens until we're willing to let go of the ideas, stories, and identities that are keeping us stuck.

Drawing on her own recovery journey, Ash speaks candidly about the gift of desperation, the stigma surrounding the word alcoholic, and why so many of us continue negotiating with our own suffering long after we've realised something isn't working. She shares what it really takes to create meaningful change and why partial willingness often keeps us trapped in the very cycles we're desperate to escape.

This conversation extends far beyond sobriety, inviting listeners to honestly examine where fear, familiarity, and old beliefs may be preventing them from stepping into a more authentic life.

Ash also reflects on celebrating her first wedding anniversary and the unexpected lessons that came from eloping in Italy, including a deeper understanding of people pleasing, self-worth, and the quiet cost of abandoning ourselves to keep others comfortable. She shares why esteemable acts are one of the most powerful ways to build genuine self-worth and how authentic relationships are forged when we stop performing for approval.

Plus, Ash leaves listeners with five thought-provoking journal prompts designed to help you uncover where you may be ready, or almost ready, to finally let go.

Episode chapters:

00:00 Bali Retreat Announcement

01:12 Life Update: A Busy Week and a Wedding Anniversary

03:31 Elopement in Italy and Lessons in People Pleasing

05:53 The Hidden Cost of Saying Yes When You Mean No

08:12 Building Self-Worth Through Esteemable Acts

10:33 Have You Had Enough?

12:53 What It Really Takes to Be Ready for Change

15:16 Breaking the Stigma Around Alcoholism

17:39 The Power of Identification and Finding Your People

19:56 Sobriety as a Superpower

22:18 The Gift of Desperation

24:26 Divine Timing and Letting Go of Old Ideas

26:48 The Difference Between Pain and Suffering

29:09 Reflective Journal Prompts to Provoke Change

Join Ash’s community newsletter! Click the link here to join.

Upcoming Workshops:

The Renewal Ritual | September 13th | Buy Tickets Here

Join Ash on retreat in 2026!

Rest and Renew Holistic Retreat in Bali | August 2026

Follow and connect with Ash on:

⁠Instagram⁠ @ashbutterss

TikTok @behindthesmilewithashb

Website⁠ www.ashbutterss.com

Watch Ash’s TEDx Talk here!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ash welcomes back her sober soul sister Danni Carr, for a wide ranging chat on Bali, yoga, and the spiritual practices that underpin their sobriety. Danni shares the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, the three-part connection to the divine, community, and land that keeps life in balance, and reflects on how a once reluctant relationship with yoga, born from hungover gym sessions and stormed out shavasanas, slowly became the foundation of her recovery and her sense of coming home to herself.

The conversation moves into deeper territory as Danni and Ash explore what the divine means to them now, the science behind spiritual practice and the brain, and the unexpected friendships that sobriety has made possible. Danni speaks candidly about needing daily practice not to recover but to keep expanding and staying regulated, and reminds listeners that spirituality doesn't have to be serious or precise to be powerful.

It’s a heartfelt conversation between two friends about connection, consistency, and choosing a life that feels good without needing to numb out to get there.

Episode chapters:

00:00 Reconnecting in Bali: A Spiritual Journey

03:56 The Balinese Philosophy of Trihitakarana

07:23 Cultural Immersion: Sharing Bali's Rich Heritage

11:59 The Transformative Power of Yoga

18:55 Finding Stillness: The Challenge of Shivasana

21:17 Embracing Autonomy in Yoga Practice

22:45 Finding the Right Teachers

24:07 Provoking Thought Through Stillness

25:51 Navigating Friendships in Sobriety

28:56 The Importance of Consistency in Recovery

32:27 Spirituality as a Foundation for Sobriety

34:16 Understanding the Divine

37:05 The Value of Connection and Community

37:48 Finding Joy in Spiritual Practices

You can connect with Danni through:

Check out Danni’s 4 Week Sober & Transformational Challenge

IG: @howiquitalcohol

Recommendations:

The Awakened Brain by Lisa Miller

Join Ash’s community newsletter! Click the link here to join.

Upcoming Workshops:

The Renewal Ritual | September 13th | Buy Tickets Here

Join Ash on retreat in 2026!

Rest and Renew Holistic Retreat in Bali | August 2026

Follow and connect with Ash on:

⁠Instagram⁠ @ashbutterss

TikTok @behindthesmilewithashb

Website⁠ www.ashbutterss.com

Watch Ash’s TEDx Talk here!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ash drops in with a mini solo episode to share a life update from her recent trip to Bali and to offer something she herself has been craving - a guided meditation to help you reset. She reflects on attending the AA convention, what it’s like to travel sober after years of using airports and planes as a reason to drink, and the joy of being surrounded by like-minded people who truly understand the recovery journey. She also speaks about the not so pleasant reality of getting Bali Belly, and the lessons in surrender, self-care, and taking quick action.

For the first time on the podcast, Ash is also sharing a guided meditation. One she specifically wrote for her Behind The Smile listeners. A 10-minute guided meditation designed to bring you back to yourself, whether you’re at home, walking, or listening on the go, offering a simple way to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with what actually matters today.

Episode chapters:

00:00 Welcome, Intentions & Gratitude

00:56 Post‑Bali Life Update & Mini Solo Setup

02:10 Bali AA Convention & Joy of Sober Travel

03:11 Sunur, Ubud & Favorite Bali Rituals

05:32 Ubud Hotel Recos, Monkey Story & Bali Belly

10:11 Calling the Doctor & Reframing “What a Gift”

12:32 Coming Home Gently & Loving Life You Don’t Need a Holiday From

14:54 Returning to Meditation & Idea for a “Reset”

17:19 Guided 10‑Minute Reset Meditation

27:14 Final Reflections, Gratitude & Call to Action

Join Ash’s community newsletter! Click the link here to join.

Join Ash on retreat in 2026!

Rest and Renew Holistic Retreat in Bali | August 2026

Follow and connect with Ash on:

⁠Instagram⁠ @ashbutterss

TikTok @behindthesmilewithashb

Website⁠ www.ashbutterss.com

Watch Ash’s TEDx Talk here!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.