Episodes
This week Daniel is joined by Elliott Wald for a Christmas Special! They will be discussing Daniel’s journey from last Christmas to now, the struggles that people with addiction face over the holiday period; particularly from peer pressure, at work parties and the pressure to take part with friends & family. Daniel and Elliott will be reflecting on the year as it draws to an end and giving their advice to those that may need it over the festive holidays. Hi guys, I’m coming to a town...
Published 12/15/23
Published 12/15/23
In this episode, Dan is joined by Hayley, a qualified associate psychological practitioner (see more here: https://pmac.uk/about-us/).  With Hayley facing her own struggles over the years, suffering an eating disorder in her teens, losing her mum to alcohol 8 years ago and recently being diagnosed with severe ADHD. Hayley hasn’t touched alcohol in a year and a half after disliking the effects that alcohol has.  Despite their struggles, Hayley and her partner have worked hard to start their...
Published 12/08/23
In this episode, Dan is joined by Ollie Ollerton, ex-alcoholic, former UK Special Forces operative and one of the founding Directing Staff on Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins; delving into all things mindset!  Ollie discussed being attacked by a chimp as a child, before embarking on his career beginning in the Royal Marine Commandos aged 18, taking part in multiple tours and going on to join the Special Boat Service; undertaking a number of high-profile missions and piloting the Submersible...
Published 12/01/23
Join Dan as he chats with Lorri Haines, entrepreneur and family man from Essex. Lorri is the CEO of mental health and well-being app ‘Shoorah’ which launched in 2023 and has run multiple successful business ventures since he was a teenager. Lorri also stars in an ITV show with his fiancée; Ferne McCann: My Family & Me. Lorri Haines delves into his past, growing up with an alcoholic mother, who went through many partners. This resulted in lots of different male figures in Lorri’s life;...
Published 11/24/23
Dan chats with Terry Devine, discussing his journey from ‘hopeless, hope-to-die street level junkie’, to being 11 years clean and a life coach.  Terry shares his experiences as an ex heroin user of 20 years, which included bouts of homelessness, sofa-surfing, eating out of bins & suicide attempts. After attempting numerous ways to get clean, Terry reached his spiritual rock bottom, until he found the 12-step process. Along with additional resources Terry has been clean and abstinent ever...
Published 11/17/23
Dan chats with Carl Crowley, ex-armed forces to up & coming motivational therapist, as he opens up about his childhood trauma, addictions and breakdown of relationships. Carl shares his story, dealing with the death of loved ones, the struggles of dealing with anxiety, depression & being overweight, along with his alcohol & drug addiction. Talking about his divorce, losing his children and attempting suicide on multiple occasions. By turning his life around & taking...
Published 11/10/23
Join Dan in this episode as he talks to Anna Jasper, a single mum sharing her journey within the throes of addiction, broken family, single parenting, the loss of a loved one and the realisation of the strength it's taken to get this far. Discussing the universal problem of addiction, the effects it can cause to the children of addicted parents and changing the narrative, to ensure people know that 'it's normal to not be normal' and that the most important thing we can do in life is TALK....
Published 11/03/23
Join Dan in this episode as he talks to Patrick Fox, a life coach who helps men rethink their relationship with alcohol. They dive into the common misconceptions about drinking, how our minds can trick us into desiring alcohol, and tools to change our thinking and break free from dependency. Patrick shares his own journey to sobriety after one wild December made him realise he needed to stop. He provides insight into dealing with social pressures, overcoming triggers, and cultivating...
Published 10/26/23
Dan is joined by Howa, a brave woman who shares her harrowing life story involving childhood sexual abuse, mental health struggles, and a battle with addiction spanning over 20 years. Despite multiple suicide attempts and ongoing relapses, Howa remains determined to beat her demons through creative outlets like writing poetry and pursuing a degree in forensic psychology. This raw, emotional episode provides insight into addiction's roots and the failings of the mental health system, while...
Published 10/19/23
Dan O'Reilly celebrates an incredible milestone - one year sober! In this raw and emotional episode, Dan reflects on the highs and lows of his journey with producer John. They have an honest heart-to-heart, with Dan opening up about his addictions, sobriety struggles, and the taboos around addiction. John asks thoughtful questions to uncover Dan's authentic thoughts and we learn how Dan has found himself, saved his marriage, and reconnected with his purpose. An inspiring episode proving it's...
Published 10/12/23
Dan hands the reins over to addiction specialist Elliot Wald in this episode. They delve into the changes in Dan's social circle, his mental resilience strategies like boxing, and how Dan's trust had to be rebuilt with his wife Shelley. Elliot administers an impulsivity test to Dan, scoring him at a sky-high 92! They also discuss why addiction is a form of "escapism," the importance of remembering your worst moments, and how to view compulsion versus repulsion. KEY TAKEAWAYS At 303 days...
Published 10/05/23
Dan chats with Stewart Lee, author of "Me and My Addiction," about his journey with alcoholism and sobriety. Stewart shares his relatable story, from trying to fit in as an awkward teenager to hitting rock bottom and attempting suicide. He discusses getting and staying sober, including stints in rehab, relapsing at big life events, and finally committing to recovery. Stuart offers insights into addiction psychology and talks about finding purpose through new hobbies like boxing and dance....
Published 09/28/23
Dan chats with personal trainer Adam 'Lubbs' Lubbock about taking a stand against the fitness industry's silence on alcohol. Adam shares why he feels compelled to speak out, even if it means losing clients and followers. He provides insight into sobriety, discipline and the connections between mental and physical health. Listen as Adam inspires people in the fitness realm and beyond to have the courage to address society's unhealthy relationship with alcohol and prioritise true well-being,...
Published 09/21/23
Dan chats with inspirational speaker Lewis Raymond Taylor, who shares his unbelievable story of transforming from a violent criminal and diagnosed psychopath to a successful entrepreneur and life coach. They dive into Lewis' traumatic childhood, descent into alcoholism and addiction, multiple stints in jail, and eventual road to recovery. Lewis explains how rehab and self-development changed his life trajectory, leading him to build a massively successful coaching business. He offers honest...
Published 09/14/23
This episode will challenge the way many of us think about drink, cocaine and the comedown. Dan is joined by Nicola Abraham to talk all about Cocaethylene and its role in suicide. They discuss the rise in male suicide, the lack of knowledge about this side effect of using and Nicola’s own tragic story. Nicola also talks about what she wants to achieve now she knows better and discusses the many barriers the foundation is trying to break down and the current help out there. Now Dan has...
Published 09/08/23
Get tickets for the next show! https://bigbellycomedy.club/livepodcasts/Get ready for an unforgettable night of laughter, camaraderie, and open discussions as "Menace II Sobriety Live" takes the stage!  Hosted by the dynamic trio of Daniel O’Reilly, Kirk Norcross, and Elliot Wald, this up-and-coming podcast comes to life in front of a live audience of 100 dedicated listeners. No topic is off-limits on this thought-provoking journey where humour meets real-life stories and the issues that...
Published 09/03/23
Content Warning: Suicide In this episode, Dan wants to talk about a topic that is frequently intertwined with addiction, so much so that he sees it consistently in his mental health group and receives DMs about it daily: suicide in men. He is joined by John Connelly who talks about his own experience of almost taking his own life, what led him to that decision and what they both agree needs to change. KEY TAKEAWAYS On the outside everything appeared normal about John’s life. He had a...
Published 09/01/23
Last week’s episode with Edie Cob (S3EP34 https://omny.fm/shows/menace-2-sobriety/034-m2s ) gave Dan new insight into his own stories of addiction and why he sometimes acted the way he did, particularly in regards to the birth of his children. It meant he spent the weekend unpicking his emotions and thoughts around why he acted the way he did. In this solo episode, he talks through this process and talks about the difficulties when being so open about his personal experiences with addiction....
Published 08/29/23
Kirk and Dan are joined by Eddie Cob, founder of ADAPT a charity which helps addicts seek recovery from addiction free of charge. Eddie started using drugs at a young age and shares in this episode her own experiences of addiction, recovery and life after drug addiction including life with her heroin-addicted partner. Eddie, Kurt and Dan explore the reasons behind addiction including the inability to deal with emotions, and feelings of shame but why ultimately it is always very complicated...
Published 08/25/23
Dan is joined by Joe Sealey, ex-West Ham footballer who is currently starring in the Housewives of Cheshire. Joe is also the son of late Manchester United goalie Les Sealey, Joe lost his father and his football career at the same time which is what led him down the path of addiction. Joe talks to Dan in this episode about the role of his father and football in his life and addiction and how his wife helped him on the road to recovery. Joe opens up about what addiction and sobriety have been...
Published 08/18/23
Dan and Kirk discuss the topic of relapse in the context of sobriety. They share their personal experiences with relapse, highlighting the different ways it can manifest and the challenges it presents. Kirk opens up about his own relapses, detailing the triggers and emotions that led him back to substance use. He reflects on the disappointment and self-blame that accompanied his relapses, as well as the impact they had on his relationships and overall well-being. Kirk and Dan also touch on...
Published 08/10/23
In this episode of Menace 2 Sobriety, hosts Daniel O'Reilly and Kirk Norcross discuss the importance of recognizing the need for change and taking the first steps towards sobriety. They share personal stories and experiences, including Kirk's hilarious and bizarre encounter with delirium while on drugs. The hosts emphasize the significance of paying attention to signs that indicate a problem, such as changes in behavior and strained relationships. They also touch on the potential dangers of...
Published 08/04/23
In this episode, Kirk, Dan and producer John explore the concept of hitting rock bottom, the depth of the human experience, how our mind alters with addiction and the manipulation that comes alongside that. They also again discuss the link between neurodivergence and addiction and what we can do as individuals to combat this and answer more questions about sobriety from the community. KEY TAKEAWAYS Going sober is never easy straight away, it will be harder and not that rewarding, to begin...
Published 07/28/23
Join Kirk and Dan as they talk about the connection between mental health and addiction, the role dopamine plays in how your brain reacts to drink and drugs as well as the stigma many individuals have to face when they have struggles with their mental health, addiction or even with diagnoses such as ADHD and ASD. Dan and Kirk also talk about the shame and mourning they feel for the loss of life to addiction and share many tips and ideas on how to recognise when you have an addiction problem...
Published 07/20/23