A Colourful Past Podcast

Welcome to Season 2, Episode 1 of "A Colourful Past Podcast hosted by Danny Shannon!" In this powerful season premiere, Danny sits down with Shelly, who shares her raw, somber, and deeply inspiring story of survival and transformation. From hitting rock bottom with meth addiction and surviving a dangerous kidnapping situation to finding her path, becoming a youth worker, and celebrating 10 years of recovery—Shelly’s journey proves that your past does never define your future. In this episode, we cover: * The heartbreaking reality of hitting rock bottom as a mother * How a partner's jail sentence triggered a spiral into meth addiction * Surviving being held against her will in an intense hostage situation * Overcoming trauma and reclaiming life through 10 years of recovery * Transitioning into youth work and giving back to vulnerable young people * Preparing for her upcoming fight with One Round Wars for mental health awareness Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: * Easy Elder Care – Empowering all supports your…

In the final episode of season one of A Colourful Path podcast, host Danny Shannon interviews rap artist and creative content creator Josepe. Josepe shares his harrowing journey from an incredibly sheltered childhood within a reformed 7th Day Adventist church—which he describes as a cult—to being homeless at 15 after his mother chose her boyfriend over her children. He discusses his early exposure to crime and drug use, including performing armed robberies at 16, and his subsequent 20-year struggle with addiction. Now over three years clean from major substances and recently stepping away from medical marijuana, Joseppe focuses on his music, his clothing brand (45 Apparel), and a difficult legal battle to reconnect with his son. The episode concludes with a live performance of his song, "Letter to My Brother," dedicated to his younger brother who was abandoned at a police station as a child. Timeline Highlights 07:43 – Josepe describes his childhood in a strict, small congregation that viewed common…

In this raw episode of A Colourful Past Podcast, Danny Shannon sits down with his close friend Mick Lappin, also known online as the meatthead. Mick addresses the intense rumours surrounding a notorious Brisbane incident where a man fell five stories from a balcony during a dispute over a two-thousand-dollar drug debt. He shares the brutal reality of the aftermath, the near-life-ending charges he faced, and what it was like surviving sixteen years on parole and long-term imprisonment in Queensland.Mick opens up about a chance connection on TikTok that changed his entire life. Years after the fall, a message reached him carrying unexpected words of radical forgiveness from the victim himself. This heavy conversation became a major turning point, leading both men to find faith. Mick also talks completely honestly about navigating recovery in the public eye, dealing with relationship heartbreak, and falling into the dangerous trap of online gambling and online pokies.Key Highlights From The…

Danny Shannon hosts Mick and Nadia Condello, the founders and sponsors of Rewire & Realign, a private trauma-focused rehabilitation center. Mick shares his harrowing journey through 25 years of active addiction, including heroin use starting at age 14 and spending over five years in prison. Now nearly one year clean, he uses his lived experience to connect with and inspire clients. Nadia discusses her 23-year career in the medical industry, her experiences managing methadone clinics, and her personal survival of domestic violence and sexual assault. Together, they detail the diverse therapeutic offerings at Rewire Realign, such as equine therapy and kinesiology, and the various pathways for individuals to access treatment, including through superannuation or NDIS.SEO and Hashtags:rehab success stories, addiction recovery journey, Rewire Realign, trauma-informed care, prison to purpose, domestic violence survivor, overcoming heroin addiction, colorful path podcast, private rehab options Australia✅ Important…

In this episode of "A Colourful Past Podcast," host Danny Shannon sits down with Milo, a community leader and social media brand creator who turned his life around after spending nearly seven years in the adult prison system starting at age 20. Milo opens up about his early exposure to drugs, his struggles with addiction inside prison, and the grit it took to get clean from heroin and "bup" while incarcerated. Now over two years free, Milo shares how he built a successful social media platform centered on sneaker culture and how he uses his influence to mentor at-risk youth through fitness and community giveaways. Prison transformation, life after incarceration, sneaker culture, JD Sports sponsorship, overcoming heroin addiction, at-risk youth mentoring, calisthenics, community giveaways.✅ Important Links: 👉 Explore Rewire and Realign Rehab: https://rewirerehab.com.au/👉 Visit Encapsulator. A safe video journal space for growth, reflection, and honest self expression: https://encapsulator.io/✅ Stay Connected…

In this high-impact episode of the Colourful Past podcast, host Danny Shannon sits down with Jeffrey Morgan, a former bank robber who spent 20 years in custody and transformed his life into a successful entrepreneur and strategist. Morgan provides a raw, play-by-play look at his past life—from high-stakes bank robberies involving sledgehammers and getaway cars to living a glamorous lifestyle of luxury penthouses and Porsches. However, he reveals the heavy cost of that life: missing out on his children's lives and the constant cycle of incarceration. The conversation explores: The Skills Audit: How to recognise that skills used for survival in the "hood"—such as team organisation, money management, and extreme determination—are the exact same traits needed for legal business success. Identity Reconstruction: Moving beyond the labels society places on you to rebuild who you are with intention. Articulation Nation: The power of communication in resolving friction and finding peace. The Mindset Heist:…

In this episode of A Colourful Past Podcast, host Danny Shannon interviews speaker and advocate Jason Bligh, who shares his harrowing life story. Conceived through rape and subjected to horrific physical and sexual abuse by his brain-injured mother, Jason discusses the systemic failures of child protection services in New Zealand and Australia. Jason details his rock bottom at age 30, which led him to rehab for alcohol addiction and a journey toward radical forgiveness. Now a corporate speaker and child advocate, Jason explores the "hero's journey," the importance of self-authorship, and the mission to reform child safety systems to provide a better future for the next generation. Keywords: Jason Bligh, A Colourful Past Podcast, Danny Shannon, child abuse survivor, childhood trauma recovery, systemic child protection failure, forgiveness and healing, hero’s journey, alcohol addiction recovery, mental health advocacy Australia Hashtags: #acolourfulpast #mentalhealth #childadvocacy #recovery #herosjourney…

In this episode of the podcast, host Danny Shannon interviews Zach Wackett about his intense life journey. Zach shares his experiences growing up as a "troubled" middle child, facing an early fear of death due to multiple family losses, and being heavily medicated from as young as five years old. He discusses his 14-year battle with substance abuse, which began with smoking bongs at age eight and escalated to harder drugs like speed by age 14. A central part of the video focuses on the devastating loss of Zach’s mother to CJD, a rare brain disease, and the subsequent "clinically insane" diagnosis he received from medical professionals. Zach describes his unique spiritual experiences, such as seeing visions of his mother and playing with a child spirit as a young boy, which he differentiates from the labels of psychosis given to him. Now, six weeks clean from both substances and heavy psychiatric medications like depot injections, Zach explains how he has substituted traditional medicine with 9D breathwork.…

Why They Can Not Hide The Truth Anymore | The Real Story Finally Revealed | Podcast #podcast #relationshiptalk #healingjourney In this episode of A Colourful Past Podcast, the truth finally comes out. After months of speculation, social media reactions, and growing attention, Gaz and Renee sit down to share what is really going on behind the scenes. This is not just about a relationship. It is about a 15 year history, real struggles, addiction, recovery, and personal transformation. From past lives in crime and addiction to building something meaningful, this conversation goes deep into trust, healing, and growth. You will hear how social media narratives were created, how attention changed everything, and what actually happened behind the camera. The chemistry people saw online was real, but the full story is more complex than it seemed. This episode also explores deeper topics like self work, emotional healing, and why you need to fix yourself before showing up for someone else. It shows how past trauma,…

In this powerful episode of A Colourful Past Podcast, host Danny Shannon sits down with Caleb (known in the music world as Belac BTD), a rap artist who has survived a life of unimaginable tragedy. From losing his father in a freak accident at age six to the heartbreaking loss of all three of his brothers to murder, suicide, and cancer, Caleb’s story is a testament to the sheer will to survive. Caleb opens up about his battle with addiction, starting from his first "cone" at just eight years old, his time in foster care, and the harrowing experience of having his best friend die in his arms. Now five years sober from ice and working to better himself for his four children, Caleb shares how he uses his music as a vital outlet for his pain and PTSD. This is an raw, unfiltered look at grief, resilience, and the journey toward healing from the heaviest of pasts. * Overcoming Trauma * Grief and Loss Recovery * A Colourful Past Podcast * Belac BTD Interview * Sobriety Success Story * Ice Addiction Recovery * Foster…

In this powerful episode of A Colourful Past, host Danny Shannon sits down with Lee Stewart, the founder of the "Let’s Get Grounded" Facebook community. Leigh’s story is a masterclass in radical accountability and turning a negative situation into a positive empire. Leigh opens up about his recent "wake-up call"—a drink-driving charge that landed him on four and a half months of home detention with an ankle monitor. Instead of letting the restriction break him, he used the time to launch three businesses, begin a diploma in mental health counseling, and commit to a life of total sobriety. We dive deep into Leigh’s "colourful past," exploring: Early Roots: His introduction to substance abuse at age nine and the impact of the foster care system. The Height of Addiction: Surviving an $1,800-a-day meth habit, heavy gambling, and the dark reality of drug-induced psychosis. The Turning Point: A near-fatal rock bottom that led to rehab and a spiritual encounter that saved his life. Business as Therapy: How Lee…

In this episode of A Colourful Past Podcast, host Danny Shannon sits down with Prince to explore his powerful transformation from a high-profile criminal case to becoming a successful entrepreneur and mentor. Prince discusses surviving over a year in solitary confinement, the moment he realised his potential, and how he used his eight-year prison sentence to shift his focus from building an empire to creating a lasting legacy. Now the founder of Purple Prince, a thriving acai business, and a qualified NLP coach, Prince shares his insights on personal branding, authenticity, and the importance of turning pain into purpose.A Colourful Past Podcast, Danny Shannon, Purple Prince, Criminal Rehabilitation, Prison Transformation, Personal Branding, Legacy Building, Mentorship, High Risk Offender, Solitary Confinement, Acai Business, NLP Coaching, Authenticity.#acolourfulpast #prisonreform #personalbranding #legacy #transformation #purposethroughpain #purpleprince #podcast

From being raised in the brutal world of the Melbourne Painters and Dockers to becoming a multi-millionaire property developer while leading a double life, Ron Isherwood has seen it all. In this gripping episode of A Colourful Past, Ron joins host Danny Shannon to share the raw, unfiltered truth about his journey through the Australian criminal landscape. Ron details his incredible 1977 escape from Milson Island prison where he swam seven miles against the tide, his time locked up with infamous figures like Chopper Read, and the moment he realized the brotherhood of crime was nothing but a lie. Now 40 years clean, Ron discusses his complete transformation from a schizophrenic psychopath diagnosis at 17 to a published author and dedicated recovery mentor. This is a story of extreme violence, addiction, and ultimate redemption. Learn how Ron turned his life around to help thousands of others find their way out of the darkness and why he believes your past does not have to define your future. Timeline of…

In this powerful episode, Kimmie Jeans shares her incredible journey from a childhood of severe physical abuse to celebrating over 21 years of sobriety. Kimmie discusses the traumatic "discipline" she faced growing up and how she began using drugs at age 13 to mask her pain. She details the harrowing experience of losing her best friend to a drug-induced heart attack at age 16 and her subsequent time in prison. The ultimate turning point came at nine weeks pregnant, when Kimmie made a vow to go cold turkey to ensure a better life for her daughter. Now a proud mother and advocate, Kimmie has earned a Bachelor of Business and dedicated herself to volunteer work, including literacy programs for children. Her story is a testament to the fact that the only person who can stop you from being the best version of yourself is you. Sobriety, Recovery Journey, Overcoming Addiction, Childhood Trauma, Domestic Abuse Survivor, 21 Years Sober, Cold Turkey, Parenting in Recovery, Volunteerism, Mental Health Awareness.…

In this moving episode, Lucas Forbes shares his powerful transition from a high-functioning addict in the entertainment industry to the founder of a community-focused recovery movement. Lucas opens up about his darkest moments, including a near-suicidal night in a high-rise apartment where a desperate call to a helpline saved his life. He details the boozy lunch culture of Sydney's media world, where cocaine and alcohol were normalised in the workplace, leading to a decade of frequent rehab miles and eventual homelessness. Now nearly seven years sober, Lucas discusses how he finally cracked the nut through an intensive three-month program in Thailand—funded by accessing his superannuation—and the unwavering support of his wife, Stephanie. Today, Lucas is dedicated to helping others find connection without the war stories of traditional fellowships through his organisation, Reconnect Movement. Key Topics and Highlights - The High-Functioning Trap: How Lucas managed a successful media career for decades while…

Join host Danny Shannon as he interviews Saleha from Ability Alliance Care on *A Colourful Past Podcast*. Saleha shares the challenging experiences that shaped her life, from battling ADHD and experiencing homelessness at age four after her parents' divorce, to living in the high-poverty, drug-affected area of Miller, Sydney (around 2010). She recounts the desperate struggle with food insecurity and the haunting prediction from teachers at Punchbowl Public School that she would "end up in jail". At a pivotal age (around 16), Slaya faced a crossroads: accepting a lucrative but dangerous offer to deliver drugs ("packages"), or choosing the path to "break the cycle". Saleha explains how learning to heal through Timeline Therapy and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) helped her confront anger and trauma. This profound personal change led her to establish Ability Alliance Care, a company committed to providing meaningful NDIS support that focuses on inclusion, capacity building, and promoting independent living…

Australian Rapper 360 (Matt Colwell) joins A Colourful Past to share his powerful journey from opiate addiction and chasing "fake" fame to finding enduring sobriety and purpose through faith in God. He details his struggle with OxyContin, methadone, and Suboxone, and the game-changing role of the injectable drug Sublocade in his withdrawal-free recovery. Matt reflects on being isolated, people-pleasing tendencies, the pressure to succeed in basketball and music, and the importance of selflessness and community in his new life. Don't miss this powerful conversation about moving from a life of black and white to one full of colour and gratitude. ✅ Subscribe To The Channel For More Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@AColourfulPastPodcast/?sub_confirmation=1 ✅ Important Links: 👉 Explore Rewire and Realign Rehab: https://rewirerehab.com.au/ 👉 Visit Encapsulator. A safe video journal space for growth, reflection, and honest self expression: https://encapsulator.io/ ✅ Stay Connected With Me: 👉 Instagram:…

Welcome back to A Colourful Past Podcast! I'm your host Danny Shannon, and in this cracker of an episode, we sit down with the incredible Andrew Hamilton: comedian, host of The OG Crew YouTube channel (with over 1.5 million subscribers), and a man who has truly transformed his life. Andrew shares his incredible journey from being arrested by the Raptor Squad and spending time in maximum security prison for drug dealing, to becoming one of Australia's fastest-rising comedians and content creators. In this episode, Andrew reveals: 00:00 - Returning to prison to perform comedy. 01:19 - Introducing Andrew Hamilton (The OG Crew). 02:41 - How Andrew blew up on YouTube doing "Dad Jokes". 04:36 - Living at home with parents despite fame and success. 07:14 - Growing up in Hornsby Heights and a middle-class upbringing. 07:47 - How a gambling addiction led him to start selling ecstasy at university in Bathurst. 09:00 - Trying magic mushrooms in Thailand and a "drugged up spiritual experience". 09:59 - Starting a…

I Earned This F&#King Chair: The 18-Year-Old Rule That Forced Me to Stop Blaming My Parents for Addiction. Did a peer in her 12-step fellowship really accuse her of driving her partner to his death? Rebecca Savage shares her raw journey from a childhood riddled with sexual trauma and physical violence to radical accountability mindset. This is an uncensored look at navigating toxic recovery communities and the devastating consequences of complex grief and guilt. Rebecca, who is 11 years clean, opens up about the moment a simple piece of advice "Anything that happened to you before you're 18 you can blame that on your parents. Anything that you've done though after 18 that's on you" forced her to pivot from a victim mentality to responsibility. We discuss the immense pain of losing custody of children to addiction and the decade of supervised visits. Rebecca tackles the shame of body shaming in 12 step meetings and facing extreme weight stigma while at 163 kilos. She explains the deep personal reasoning…

In this incredibly raw and special episode of A Colourful Past Podcast, host Danny Shannon sits down with Glen Fisher, the founder of the Leg Up Project and author of Predators Paradise. While Glen is widely known for his compassionate work with mental health and the homeless today, this conversation strips back the layers to reveal a past marked by intense violence, deep-seated anger, and drug addiction.Glen was literally born a heroin addict, as his mother was using heroin while pregnant with him. He recounts growing up in an environment where violence was the "only language" he understood, leading to a "get them before they get me" mentality. His personal drug use, which started with "intro drugs" like speed and acid, escalated after the murder of his 16-year-old girlfriend, Linda.The interview covers his life in King's Cross as a 16-year-old dealer, working for bikers and constantly using speed. Glenn details getting kicked out of his flat after a police raid, which led to the introduction of heroin—a…

On this powerful episode of A Colourful Past Podcast, host Danny Shannon welcomes Natasha, a 9D Breathwork facilitator and 'Breath Angel'. Natascha shares her heartbreaking story of growing up as the daughter of a Dutch Mafia figure, losing both parents by age 12, childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse by a family member, and a destructive life of drug abuse that led to domestic violence. She explains how she found herself completely broken, with crippling anxiety, depression, and PTSD, but ultimately discovered healing and a new life through 9D Breathwork. This powerful modality helped her release trauma, overcome the tight chest of anxiety and depression, and find peace regarding the abandonment she felt. Natasha is now a "present mom" who helps others heal as a 'Breath Angel'.#9DBreathwork #TraumaHealing #DomesticViolenceSurvivor #ChildhoodAbuse #Breathwork #PTSD#AnxietyRecovery #DepressionRecovery #AbandonmentIssues #HopeCartel #ACPFam #DutchMafia9D breathwork for trauma, how 9D breathwork works,…

On A Colourful Past Podcast, host Danny Shannon sits down with special guest Sean Reed, the son of notorious Melbourne crime figure and underworld identity, Stuart John Reed. Sean, who is four and a half years clean, shares his story for the first time. He reveals the terrifying truth about his upbringing, including being taught the "street code" while witnessing his father commit horrific acts, such as regularly assaulting women and sexually abusing women and children, including Sean himself. Sean recounts being coerced into covering up his father's sexual abuse, which led to him taking on the role of a father at age 14. He details his father's life as an outlaw motorcycle club president and speed manufacturer, running interstate drug and cash runs as a child, and how he eventually found his identity in drug use to numb the trauma. Sean explains how he's finally finding his true self and healing, with the help of Narcotics Anonymous and breath work, which he is now a passionate facilitator of.#SeanReed…

She SURVIVED A CAR CHASE... Then Started Her Healing Journey | A Colourful Past PodcastA terrifying real life police chase turns into a powerful conversation about trauma recovery and addiction recovery and why healing has to include the nervous system. On A Colourful Past Podcast, Danny Shannon sits down with trauma informed psychotherapist Kyra from Authentic Counseling Collective to unpack somatic therapy, EMDR therapy, spinal energetics, inner child healing, shame and guilt, attachment wounds, and why connection is the opposite of addiction. They also touch on the growing conversation around psychedelic assisted therapy in Australia for PTSD and treatment resistant depression under strict medical pathways.#Trauma #NervousSystemHealing #DomesticViolenceSurvivor #AddictionRecovery #TraumaInformedTherapy #SomaticTherapy #EMDRTherapy #InnerChildHealing #Psychedelic #AssistedTherapysomatic therapy for trauma, EMDR therapy for PTSD, nervous system regulation for anxiety, trauma informed addiction recovery,…

The Night Jail Changed Everything | A Colourful Past PodcastA raw recovery conversation about homelessness, meth addiction, jail, and the exact moment “rock bottom” becomes the turning point. This episode dives into what life looks like when you’re surviving day-to-day, why recovery programs can “ruin your using,” and how tools like SMART Recovery can help rebuild thinking and habits over time. It also explores video journaling and “messages to your future self” as a practical way to track progress, process trauma, and stay accountable—turning painful chapters into proof that change is possible#Recovery #AddictionRecovery #Story #MethRecovery #Homelessness #Hope #TraumaInformed #Healing #SmartRecovery #SobrietyMotivation meth addiction recovery story, homelessness and addiction real story, rock bottom to recovery podcast, jail changed my life recovery, SMART Recovery vs NA, relapse prevention tools that work, trauma informed recovery conversation, video journaling for mental health, message to your future…

In this raw episode of A Colourful Past Podcast, Danny Shannon sits down with Stacey Nicolle to unpack a real recovery journey, how grief, trauma, and relapse nearly took everything, and what finally made total abstinence click. Stacy opens up about losing loved ones to suicide, the chaos of addiction, rehab, NA meetings, “clean time” accountability, and the moment she owned an alcohol slip instead of hiding it, then rebuilt her life one day at a time. If you’re searching for addiction recovery stories, sobriety motivation, NA recovery, relapse to recovery, grief healing, or mental health conversations that actually go there, this one’s for you. #Sobriety #Sober #Abstinence #Recovery #Narcotics #Relapse #RecoveryStory #Accountability #Grief #AddictionHealing #WomenInRecovery #MentalHealth #RecoveryTalk two years sober story, total abstinence vs sobriety, NA clean time reset, relapse after 30 days recovery, grief and addiction recovery, women in recovery podcast, meth addiction recovery story, GHB addiction…

In this powerful episode of A Colourful Past Podcast, host Danny Shannon sits down with Adam Smith for a raw, honest conversation about growth, accountability, and why most people stay stuck in life. This episode strips away labels and gets to the truth: most people aren’t unhappy — they’re trapped in environments that no longer serve them. From cutting off negative influences unapologetically, to doing the hard things daily, to taking responsibility for your own future, this conversation challenges everything you’ve been taught about change. If you feel stagnant, surrounded by people who keep you small, or unsure how to move forward, this episode will give you clarity, courage, and direction. #Growth #cuttoxicpeople #selfaccountability #personaldevelopmentpodcast #lifetransformation #mindsetshift #breakingcycles #becomingyourbestself how to change your life environment, cutting off toxic people advice, why people stay stuck in life, accountability mindset podcast, personal growth conversations, leaving old…

This powerful episode of A Colourful Past Podcast shares a raw, life-altering true story of addiction, trauma, faith, and redemption. What began as a final walk toward ending it all became a miraculous turning point after discovering a simple church pamphlet that led to peace, conviction, and a complete transformation. From childhood violence, crime, prison, and years of addiction to recovery, purpose, and faith in Jesus, this conversation dives deep into mental health, suicide survival, spiritual awakening, and the long road to healing. If you’re searching for real stories of hope, recovery, and proof that your past does not define your future, this episode will stay with you long after it ends. #Recovery #suicidesurvivorstory #addiction #recoveryjourney #faithtransformation #story #mentalhealthpodcast #christianrecovery #testimony #lifechangingmoments #addictiontofaith #redemption suicide survivor testimony, addiction recovery podcast, faith based recovery story, life transformation testimony, mental…

A Colourful Past is a raw, honest podcast hosted by Danny Shannon, exploring the moments that shape us, the turning points, the setbacks, the breakthroughs, and the courage it takes to change.Through powerful conversations with people from all walks of life, the podcast dives into transformation, identity, resilience, mental health, addiction, recovery, purpose, and what it really means to rebuild and thrive. These are stories of people who have lived a colourful past, and are now creating meaningful, fulfilling futures.This is a space for anyone on a journey of growth and change. Whether you’ve been through adversity, faced challenges, or are simply curious about what drives real transformation, you’ll find honesty, hope, and inspiration here.New episodes drop weekly, featuring deep conversations that remind us: your past doesn’t define you, but it can become your greatest strength.