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GENERAL INTERVIEW

This Is Powerful: Thriving beyond addiction

Published on August 1, 2024

Paul Sculfor is adding a new string to his bow today as he launches his podcast, This is Powerful. We spoke to Paul to find out more about the podcast, his podcasting inspirations, and his dream guest…

Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

My name is Paul Sculfor and I’m a British model, mindset coach, and founder of charity Stride Foundation UK. Today, 1st August, I’m celebrating 20 years of sobriety which is why I’m launching my new podcast, This Is Powerful, to help people on their journey to recovery.

On the show, I have brilliant and honest conversations with specialists in the addiction recovery space and guests who have incredible stories of transformation and thriving beyond addiction. The podcast is a must listen for anyone who wants to hear real human stories from celebrities, professionals, and therapists alike about what addiction is, how hard it can make life but most importantly how rewarding and worthwhile it is to overcome it.

What’s the first podcast you ever listened to?

The first podcast I ever listened to was Stuff You Missed in History Class about the guys that broke into Buckingham Palace. I love history and the way this podcast is told brings human voices to historical stories which goes beyond what you are taught in school. It’s narrated with fun and curiosity making it a compelling way to engage with new information.

Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place?

I started podcasting because it’s a brilliant way to bring human stories to life. I wanted to use this platform to bring stories of people that have survived addiction and are willing to recover to life. My aim with the podcast is to help people understand how they survive addiction and get into recovery and how they live a happy healthy life without drugs in a way that feels like you might be having the chat with us in the room – it’s intimate and personal.

Paul’s recording session with DJ Fat Tony

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

For This Is Powerful, I took inspiration from a variety of different podcasts; there’s people like Andrew Huberman who delivers information I would never read myself in a way that is easy to digest in his Huberman Lab podcast, and podcasts like The Moth for their ability to bring human stories out without fancy frills around the edges; just great human stories. I love their interview style and the way I gain so much knowledge and insight as a listener. That’s what I want my audience to experience too.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

My ultimate guest would be Anthony Hopkins – I’d love to sit down and talk to him. He is someone who has huge life experiences, ups and downs, troubles with alcohol and a great message. He’s been sober for almost 50 years too which is incredible!

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as a podcaster?

As a podcaster I’ve learnt that you really have to trust the process. I’m so lucky to have a great producer and team around me, so it really is about trusting them and trusting the process. In terms of the interviews with my guests, I learnt that it’s just so important to fully listen to what your guests are saying and to give them enough space to finish their thoughts instead of talking over them. Mostly I’ve learned just how much I’ve enjoyed every step.

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

It’s hard to say because I had the pleasure of speaking to so many inspiring guests on my show. But if you’re new to sobriety, and new to my story, I’d start with the intro episode which drops today, when I launch This Is Powerful. This episode gives you a bit more background information about me and my story of recovery.

After that, launching on 15th August, will be my interview with Michael Emmett. Michael is an ex-gangster from London, so he talks about his autobiography Sins of Fathers, the ‘hole in the soul’ and his spiritual awakening whilst sharing a prison cell with his father. It’s an incredible story. Michael is a real gentleman, we truly listened to each other, so the episode is super intimate, full of laughter but also really insightful moments.