Raised in and out of foster care and born into a family battling addiction, Tiana Wadsworth moved through nearly 150 homes before she turned 16. By 18, she had survived more than most do in a lifetime; homelessness, daily grooming on the streets, and multiple sexual assaults by people she trusted. She was even kidnapped by a subscriber to her OnlyFans account. The trauma she’s endured is unimaginable. But it was one hospital visit that would ultimately shift the trajectory of her life.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes discussions of trauma, including sexual assault and substance use.

Follow Tiana on TikTok

Ready to share your story? Email hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline

Creator & Host- Julia Rangiheuea

Video & Audio- Stitch Up Studios

Image & Logo- Jasmine Rule

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

For Dean, addiction has always been about seeking pleasure, whether through sex, drugs, or alcohol. But it wasn’t until he quit alcohol and drugs that he and his therapist realised that sex was his primary addiction all along.

His journey has been about breaking free from the need to constantly feel good, and today, he’s found peace in genuinely liking the person he is.

His approach is simple yet powerful: "Just get through today."

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses themes of substance abuse and sex.

Follow Dean on Instagram

Ready to share your story? Email hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline

Creator & Host- Julia Rangiheuea

Video & Audio- Stitch Up Studios

Image & Logo- Jasmine Rule

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

At just twenty years old, Molly is the youngest guest I’ve had on the show.

She grew up in a stable home, surrounded by a loving family and parents who adored her. But everything shifted in high school; she started having sex, smoking weed daily, and taking Xanax regularly.

On her 17th birthday, Molly urgently needed money to fund her new habit. A call to the local massage parlour and she officially entered the sex industry...

For the next two years, Molly lived a life most people couldn’t even imagine.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses themes of substance abuse, sex and underage exploitation.

Follow Molly on Instagram

Ready to share your story? Email hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline

Creator & Host- Julia Rangiheuea

Video & Audio- Stitch Up Studios

Image & Logo- Jasmine Rule

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

For Ash Butterss, addiction was a constant pursuit of more: more thrill, more chaos, more ways to avoid the emptiness. It started with sugar in childhood, then alcohol at 12, and drugs by 14. She moved from one addiction to another, telling herself she didn’t have a problem as long as she had periods of sobriety.

On the outside, her life looked impressive. She owned a home in Bondi, did early-morning HIIT classes, managed a team, and kept getting promoted. It wasn't until she hit what she calls "the gift of desperation" that she became willing to get sober.

Giving up alcohol meant facing painful truths, including the reality that her marriage was built around shared addiction.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses themes of substance abuse and suicide.

Follow Ash Butterss on Instagram

Ready to share your story? Email hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline

Creator & Host- Julia Rangiheuea

Video & Audio- Stitch Up Studios

Image & Logo- Jasmine Rule

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

Once dubbed Hawaii’s most wanted criminal, Kyle Quilausing was a golf prodigy by age 10, competing on the PGA World Tours alongside Tiger Woods. He had a full ride to America’s most prestigious colleges.

But one split-second decision changed the course of his life.

Addiction. Crime. A high-profile prison escape.

Then, three years alone in solitary confinement. No human contact. No conversation. Just silence.

This isn’t my normal style of interview. Kyle has a story to tell the world- a raw, unfiltered account of how fast life can unravel when drugs take over.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses themes of substance abuse and violence.

Follow Kyle Quilausing on Instagram

Ready to share your story? Email hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline

Creator & Host- Julia Rangiheuea

Video & Audio- Stitch Up Studios

Image & Logo- Jasmine Rule

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

You might know Kate Forster for her sharp TikTok opinions, but who was she before becoming a popular author and our favourite fashion critic?

In this episode, we revisit Kate’s childhood, growing up with a father battling severe alcoholism. She shares how his struggles led to a suicide attempt, one she witnessed firsthand, and how alcohol ultimately took his life just 11 weeks after his diagnosis.

This is a conversation about love, loss, and the lasting impact of addiction, told with the raw honesty Kate is known for.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses themes of substance abuse and suicide.

Follow Kate Forster on Instagram

Ready to share your story? Email hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline

Creator & Host- Julia Rangiheuea

Video & Audio- Stitch Up Studios

Image & Logo- Jasmine Rule

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

Welcome back to part two of Glen’s story. If you haven’t listened to part one yet, go back and catch up now.

In today’s episode, we follow Glen as his girlfriend’s murder sends him spiralling into a 35-year heroin addiction. He tries to end his life—twice— and hear how jail, against all odds, became the best thing that ever happened to him.

Today, Glens charity, The Leg Up Project, is helping others who are doing it tough on the streets.

Follow Glen Fisher on Instagram

Ready to share your story? Email hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains themes of child abuse, substance abuse, violence, and suicide.

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline

Creator & host- Julia Rangiheuea

Video producer- Beaudene Perussich

Image & logo- Jasmine Rule

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

Glen’s childhood was something no one should ever have to experience. His father was a predator, and his mother a heroin addict who later turned to alcohol. Throughout this two part interview you'll hear Glen be abused by many people- the first was being raped by a close family friend at just nine years old. one year later, he was already trying to escape the abuse, running away from home, institutions, and boys' homes, where he faced further sexual assault and bullying.

Glen's dad then went on to abandon him on Oxford Street in Sydney, leaving him homeless at just 13. With nowhere to go, he became a street kid of Kings Cross.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains themes of child abuse, child sexual abuse, substance abuse and violence. Please please listen with care

Follow Glen Fisher on Instagram

Ready to share your story? Email hello@soberlyspeaking.com.au

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses substance abuse. Please listen with care.

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015

https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/support/national-alcohol-other-drug-hotline

Creator & host- Julia Rangiheuea

Video producer- Beaudene Perussich

Image & logo- Jasmine Rule

In the spirit of reconciliation Soberly Speaking acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.