CTS | Cut The Sh*t

Lucy Thould: Grief, Death & Learning How to Live Again

Lewis sits down with grief counsellor Lucy Thould from The Grief Studio for one of the rawest and most honest conversations the podcast has had so far. Following the recent death of his grandfather, Lewis opens up about grief, fear of death, psychedelic therapy, spirituality, childhood trauma, emotional suppression, masculinity and what it actually means to move forward after loss. This isn’t a clinical conversation about grief. It’s a human one. The episode explores: * Why British culture struggles to talk about death * The difference between “getting through” grief and living with it * How childhood shapes the way we process loss * Psychedelic therapy and Lewis’ experience overcoming existential fear * Why men try to “fix” emotions instead of feeling them * Community, loneliness and modern society * AI, therapy and human connection * Why grief can arrive years after the loss itself Whether you’re grieving somebody, afraid of death, supporting somebody through loss, or just trying to understand yourself better — this episode will stay with you.

Gary Yourofsky: Humans Are the Problem — Not Animals

In this episode, I sit down with animal rights activist and speaker Gary Yourofsky for a raw and unfiltered conversation about veganism, morality, and the way humans treat animals. We dive into Gary’s journey from meat-eater to one of the most outspoken voices in animal rights, including the moment that changed everything for him. This isn’t a debate — it’s a real conversation. We talk about: * The ethics of eating animals * Why the truth about the meat industry is hidden * Human ego and our place in the world * The idea that “humans are the problem” * Lab-grown meat and the future of food * Whether real change is even possible We don’t agree on everything — and that’s exactly the point. If you’ve ever questioned where your food comes from or why we do what we do, this one will make you think.

Maureen Little: Bees, Ecosystems & The Fight to Save Pollinators

This week I sit down with Maureen Little — author, apiarist and pollinator expert — to break down the world of bees, pollinators and why they matter more than most people realise. We get into how Maureen first got involved in beekeeping, what drives her passion for pollinators, and the reality of what’s happening to bee populations today. We talk about the impact of modern gardens, fake grass, urbanisation and what that means for pollinators, as well as the phenomenon of entire hives suddenly dying with no clear explanation. This is one of those conversations that makes you look at the world around you differently. If you’ve ever wondered how much we actually rely on bees — this one’s worth your time.

Julie Miller & Steve Knapp: Sober, Simple and Still Fighting

Lewis sits down with Julie Miller and Steve Knapp — co-hosts of the No Alcohol Needed podcast — for one of the most grounded, no-bullshit conversations about sobriety you'll hear. Julie's journey crept up on her slowly. Steve's slapped him in the face via a credit card statement and 18 trips to the liquor store in a month. Both quit, both rebuilt, and both ended up building a community around what they learned. This episode covers the real reason people relapse (hint: it's never the trigger event), why moderating is often harder than quitting completely, the shame behind the "not that I had a problem" caveat, Steve's emotional backpack theory, and the growing cultural shift away from alcohol. Lewis also opens up about his own six-year journey through quitting alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. The views and experiences shared in this episode are those of the guests and host and are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing in this episode constitutes medical advice. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol dependency or substance misuse, please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional or contact a relevant support service in your area. Recovery looks different for everyone — what worked for our guests may not be right for you, and that's okay.

Chris Hanna: Quitting NASA, Rejecting the System & Living Free

After working on high-level aerospace programs, Chris walked away from the conventional path to live a more sovereign, self-directed life. Since then, he’s travelled across the US, Latin America, Asia and Europe, rejecting the “default script” in favour of freedom, autonomy and global living. In this conversation, we explore what it really means to leave the system — from corporate life and societal expectations to modern structures that shape how we live, think and work. We discuss sovereign living, van life, global travel, personal freedom, and whether stepping outside the system is realistic or just an illusion. This episode covers: • Leaving a career in aerospace and NASA programs • Sovereign living and rejecting the default life • Van life, travel and living globally • Systems, control and modern society • Freedom, autonomy and personal responsibility 🎧 Full episode available now on Spotify, YouTube and all major platforms. Search CTS – Cut The Sh*t Podcast to listen everywhere. This conversation explores personal views and experiences around lifestyle, society and individual freedom. It is not intended as advice or endorsement, but to encourage open discussion and critical thinking.