Heart of the Matter
Heart of the Matter with Elizabeth Vargas is a production from Partnership to End Addiction. Heart of the Matter is an interview series that gives guests the opportunity to share their personal, candid stories about addiction. This podcast offers a space to open up about addiction, substance use and mental health, to share the ways in which people are shifting their narrative – in their own relationships and across communities – to support the cause of ending addiction in our country.
Worried about your child or loved one? Partnership to End Addiction's helpline is here for you and anyone else playing a supportive role in the life of a person struggling with substance use. Get one on one support by texting JOIN to 55753 or visit https://helphope.net/3koi6Kh to learn more. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Text HELP for help or STOP to opt out.
Editor’s Note: The views and opinions expressed on Heart of the Matter are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Partnership to End Addiction. We are also mindful that some of the personal stories feature the word “addict” and other terms from the following link. We respect and understand those who choose to use certain terms to express themselves. However, we strive to use language that’s health-oriented, accurately reflects science, promotes evidence-based treatment and demonstrates respect and compassion. https://drugfree.org/article/shouldnt-use-word-addict/
Episodes
83 episodes
Carleah Summers: Helping Mothers Recover from Addiction by Keeping Families Together
Carleah Summers shares her journey from addiction to recovery and how her experience inspired her to open Andrea's House, a non-profit residential treatment program in Maryland where mothers can recover from substance use disorder without being...
Matt Dorsey's Journey Through Addiction, Relapse, and Helping San Francisco's Recovery Community
Matt Dorsey stopped drinking alcohol on his own in 1992. But after a few years, he began using substances again and questioned whether or not recovery was possible for him. Matt shares his experience with relapse, navigating addiction in the LG...
Author Lara Love Hardin’s Story of Addiction, Jail, and Redemption
Lara Love Hardin discusses her journey from suburban soccer mom hiding a heroin addiction to bestselling author. As a result of stealing money and credit cards to fund her addiction, The Many Lives of Mama Love: A Memoir of Lying, Stealing,...
Hootie & the Blowfish's Jim Sonefeld: From Rockstar to Recovery Advocate
Jim Sonefeld, drummer for Hootie & the Blowfish, shares his powerful journey from concert tours fueled by alcohol to finding recovery at age 40. He opens up about hiding his drinking behind the rock-and-roll lifestyle, the intervention that...
Dr. Kristen Gilliland: A Mother's Journey from Neuroscience to Advocacy
After losing one son to overdose and watching another struggle with lifelong schizophrenia, neuroscientist Dr. Kristen Gilliland reveals what she wishes she'd known about today's ultra-potent marijuana and the developing brain. She breaks down ...
Recovery Through Music and Harm Reduction with This Must Be the Place’s William Perry
William Perry shares his powerful journey from childhood trauma and opioid addiction to a 10-year prison sentence, and ultimately to co-founding This Must Be the Place, an organization that combines music, arts, and harm reduction. Now in recov...
Can GLP-1 medications help in addiction treatment?
Can GLP-1 medications like Ozempic help treat addiction? Elizabeth Vargas talks with Pat Aussem, Vice President of Consumer Clinical Content Development at Partnership to End Addiction, about the ongoing clinical trials and the science behind h...
Walker Hayes on recovery and resilience
Season 7 of Heart of the Matter kicks off with country pop star Walker Hayes, whose Grammy-nominated hit "Fancy Like" catapulted him to fame. Walker opens up about his journey from drinking at 13 to finding recovery at 35. He discusses his deep...
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Broadway star and American Idol finalist Constantine Maroulis talks resilience and recovery
In the season finale of Heart of the Matter, Broadway star and American Idol finalist Constantine Maroulis opens up about his personal struggle with substance use. He reveals to Elizabeth Vargas how professional and personal challenges led him ...
Jackie Siegel: “The Queen of Versailles” on her mission to save lives
Jackie Siegel, also known as “The Queen of Versailles,” joins Elizabeth Vargas to share the heartbreaking journey of her daughter Victoria, who struggled with addiction and ultimately passed away from an overdose at 18 years old, after years of...
Cammie Wolf Rice's mission to save lives through opioid prevention
This week on “Heart of the Matter,” Elizabeth Vargas sits down with philanthropist and author Cammie Wolf Rice. Cammie shares the heartbreaking story of her son Christopher's fatal overdose at age 32, following an opioid prescription that led t...
Patrick Kennedy and Tonie Dreher on the importance of sharing stories of mental health and addiction
Former U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy discusses his book "Profiles in Mental Health Courage," spotlighting a diverse group of people who have struggled with their mental health – many of whom are sharing their stories for the first time. T...
How Lauren Sisler is turning grief into action with new book “Shatterproof”
Sports reporter and author Lauren Sisler opens up to Elizabeth Vargas this week on Heart of the Matter about her parents' hidden struggles with addiction and the tragic loss that changed her life. Lauren promotes prevention education and shares...
Stefanie Wilder-Taylor on navigating parenthood and celebrating 15 years in recovery with new book “Drunk-ish”
In this episode of “Heart of the Matter,” author and comedian Stefanie Wilder-Taylor opens up to Elizabeth Vargas about her struggle with alcohol, which intensified after becoming a parent, and how her blog provided a crucial connection with ot...
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Randy Grimes on helping athletes with addiction
Randy Grimes, former starting center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, silently struggled with an addiction to prescription pills during his tenure. On this week’s “Heart of the Matter,” he talks with Elizabeth Vargas about the impact of his addict...
Braunwyn Windham-Burke on quitting alcohol while on “The Real Housewives of Orange County"
Braunwyn Windham-Burke, who starred in two seasons of the hit Bravo TV show “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” joins Elizabeth Vargas for the season 6 premiere episode of “Heart of the Matter.” Braunwyn talks about her long-term struggle w...
“Below Deck” star Captain Sandy Yawn celebrates over 30 years in recovery
For the season 5 finale of Heart of the Matter, Captain Sandy Yawn from the hit Bravo TV show “Below Deck” joins Elizabeth Vargas to discuss how years of substance use eventually led to more than 30 years in recovery. Sandy also gives advice to...
Figlia founder Lily Geiger: On how her dad's alcohol use impacted her life and inspired her brand
Figlia founder Lily Geiger joins Elizabeth Vargas to share the inspiration behind her non-alcoholic cocktail brand. Lily reveals what it was like growing up with a parent struggling with substance use – including its profound influence on...
Author David Ambroz: On his journey from foster care to giving back
In this episode of “Heart of the Matter”, award-winning author David Ambroz joins Elizabeth Vargas to share his incredible journey of overcoming poverty and homelessness and rising to become a successful lawyer and advocate for change. Da...
State Attorney Dave Aronberg: On how to find treatment centers
Dave Aronberg, who serves as the Palm Beach County State Attorney in Florida, speaks with Elizabeth Vargas about navigating the treatment system. They discuss things people should look for when researching treatment centers, as well as things t...
Chef Ashish Alfred gets personal about his addiction
Award-winning chef Ashish Alfred joins Elizabeth Vargas to discuss his family history with substance use – including his own addiction. Now that he’s in recovery, he is focused on transforming the restaurant industry for those who don’t drink a...
Lady A’s Charles Kelley: On Honesty in Recovery
Charles Kelley joins Elizabeth Vargas to talk about his recovery journey. He discloses why he often hid his drinking from those closest to him, how his wife supported his recovery, and why it was important for Charles to be honest about Lady A’...
Actor and producer Frankie Grande: Overcoming addiction and finding support
From a young age, actor and producer Frankie Grande found himself addicted to achievements, craving praise from teachers and his mother. When he was cast in the Broadway show “Mamma Mia!” in his early 20s, Frankie felt like his career hit its p...
TikTok’s Recovery Community with Ryann Cooke and Jordan Shelton
We often hear about the negative impacts social media can have on mental health, but Ryann Cooke and Jordan Shelton’s lives changed for the better because of the community they found on TikTok. Ryann and Jordan both decided to stop drinking in ...
The Surgeon General on the Loneliness Epidemic and His Own Personal Story
The Surgeon General of the United States, Dr. Vivek Murthy, recently made history by declaring a loneliness epidemic. Feelings of loneliness are on the rise, especially among young people, which can lead to serious health risks. Thi...
