Heart of the Matter
Partnership to End Addiction
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/
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Top 10 Heart of the Matter Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Heart of the Matter episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Heart of the Matter for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Heart of the Matter episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Author David Ambroz: On his journey from foster care to giving back
Heart of the Matter
03/12/24 • 43 min
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. David’s childhood was marked by hardship and a system that failed him. Yet, he defied the odds, achieving remarkable success and using his experience to fight for a better future for vulnerable youth.
Tune into this special episode to hear David’s inspiring story and his powerful message about investing in our children early on before they fall victim to a broken system.
Content warning: This episode contains mentions of death, as well as discussions of substance use. If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health or substance use disorder, please contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at (800) 662-4357. These programs provide free, confidential support 24/7. You are not alone.
Explore more on topics and themes discussed in this episode:
- Parental Modeling: The Most Powerful Parenting Tool in Fostering Youth Mental Health and Resilience
- A Parent’s Guide to Raising Resilient Kids
- Is Your Child at Risk? A Substance Use Risk Assessment
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 this list. 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.
To learn more:
Partnership to End Addiction website
Donate today to help us provide free resources to families
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
07/13/21 • 46 min
Congresswoman Madeleine Dean thought she understood addiction – but it wasn’t until her son Harry Cunnane was struggling that she came to truly realize what it means when a loved one has a substance use disorder. Now Harry has been in recovery for more than eight years, and the mother and son have written a joint memoir, titled Under Our Roof: A Son's Battle for Recovery, a Mother's Battle for Her Son. With this book, the pair hope to share the lessons they’ve learned about addiction and recovery with other families impacted by this disease.
In the 19th episode of Heart of the Matter, Elizabeth interviews Madeleine and Harry about what they gained from writing Under Our Roof, what it means when people refer to addiction as a family disease, and the importance of amplifying the possibility of recovery – not just the horror of active addiction.
Today, Madeleine continues to serve Pennsylvania’s fourth district, and Harry remains active in the addiction recovery community, even working as a resource director at the same treatment center where he originally sought help.
Related reading:
After you listen, explore these resources from Partnership to End Addiction to learn more about the topics and themes discussed in this episode:
- How to Identify Substance Use Disorder & Addiction
- How to Make a Discharge Plan When Your Child Leaves Addiction Treatment
- Get One-on-One Help to Address Your Child’s Substance Use
To learn more:
Partnership to End Addiction website
Donate today to help us provide free resources to families
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller on the work of recovery and the past as legacy
Heart of the Matter
03/08/22 • 41 min
To many who knew him in his college days, Darren Waller had the ideal life: a star football player at Georgia Tech who had caught the eye of NFL scouts, he seemed predestined for a picture-perfect future. However, beneath this glossy veneer was someone who was struggling with opioid use, whose self-confidence was flagging, and whose passion for the game he had loved since he was a boy was evaporating. Two suspensions and several years later, this culminated in a near-fatal overdose in August 2017 that would prove to be game-changing.
Now four and a half years into recovery, Darren has started a foundation to help youth struggling with addiction, has helped a teammate into recovery and looks back on his past with gratitude and without shame. Join Elizabeth as she speaks with Darren about the value of honesty in recovery, the importance of humility, and why he does not wish to shut the door on his past, but rather, sees it as the greatest possession he has.
Explore more on topics and themes discussed in this episode:
- When Opioid Pain Relievers Are Prescribed For Your Child: What You Should Know
- How to Use Naloxone to Reverse an Opioid Overdose and Save a Life
- Intentional Misuse of Over-the-Counter Medication: What You Should Know
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 this list. 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.
To learn more:
Partnership to End Addiction website
Donate today to help us provide free resources to families
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
TikTok’s Recovery Community with Ryann Cooke and Jordan Shelton
Heart of the Matter
06/06/23 • 44 min
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 their 20s after coming to terms with the fact that alcohol was negatively affecting them. They each posted about their experiences on TikTok and received not only generous support from viewers, but also many messages from people who had similar stories.
Ryann and Jordan join Elizabeth Vargas on “Heart of the Matter” to talk about why they decided to stop drinking, the tie between storytelling and connection and how their vulnerability has allowed them to find supportive communities on social media.
Explore more on topics and themes discussed in this episode:
- Alcohol: What Parents Need to Know to Help Protect Children, Teens and Young Adults
- Long Term Recovery from Addiction
- Alcohol Screening and Abstinence and Moderation Mobile Messaging
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 this list. 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.
To learn more:
Partnership to End Addiction website
Donate today to help us provide free resources to families
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
Actor and producer Frankie Grande: Overcoming addiction and finding support
Heart of the Matter
06/20/23 • 36 min
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 peak. He found himself misusing alcohol and other substances - something that would continue for years.
Frankie joins Elizabeth Vargas on “Heart of the Matter” to discuss how the tragic bombing at his sister Ariana Grande’s 2017 concert was the turning point for him to address his substance use, how he has been able to build a healthy support system in his recovery journey and the advice he’d give to anyone who is struggling or who has a loved one struggling with addiction.
Explore more on topics and themes discussed in this episode:
- Alcohol: What You Need to Know to Help Protect Children, Teens and Young Adults
- Prescription Medication and Over-the-Counter Medicine: What You Need to Know to Help Protect Children, Teens and Young Adults
- LGBTQ+, Family & Substance Use
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 this list. 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.
To learn more:
Partnership to End Addiction website
Donate today to help us provide free resources to families
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
Figlia founder Lily Geiger: On how her dad's alcohol use impacted her life and inspired her brand
Heart of the Matter
03/26/24 • 26 min
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 her life, and why it inspired her to start her own company.
Content warning: This episode contains mentions of death, as well as discussions of substance use. If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health or substance use disorder, please contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at (800) 662-4357. These programs provide free, confidential support 24/7. You are not alone.
Explore more on topics and themes discussed in this episode:
- Harm Reduction Strategies for Alcohol
- Alcohol: What Parents Need to Know
- Walking Through Grief Together
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 this list. 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.
To learn more:
Partnership to End Addiction website
Donate today to help us provide free resources to families
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
Author Laura McKowen on facing pain, telling the truth and looking inward
Heart of the Matter
09/07/21 • 36 min
In this episode of Heart of the Matter, Elizabeth Vargas is joined by Laura McKowen, author and founder of The Luckiest Club. When Laura first stopped drinking, she thought of it as “the end of all the color” in her life. But after weathering one particularly challenging night, she realized the magic that comes with being in recovery and feeling fully present in her life. Together, Elizabeth and Laura discuss the pain that lies at the root of drinking, the glamorization of alcohol, the power of truth-telling and why Laura considers herself “lucky” to have faced addiction.
Related reading:
After you listen, explore these resources from Partnership to End Addiction to learn more about the topics and themes discussed in this episode:
- Alcohol: What Families Need to Know to Help Protect Young People
- Is Alcohol Use Spiking in Your Home?
- Online Support Community for Parents & Caregivers
To learn more:
Partnership to End Addiction website
Donate today to help us provide free resources to families
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
Comedian and actor Tommy Davidson: On finding a second life in recovery
Heart of the Matter
11/01/22 • 41 min
Tommy Davidson’s childhood was anything but textbook. Discovered on the streets as a toddler by his adoptive white mother, he faced alienation from those who looked down on his interracial upbringing, and strife from a society clinging to racial barriers. But a breakout role on the now-iconic ‘90s sitcom “In Living Color” soon thrust him into fame—and into the throes of addiction.
Tune into the latest episode of Heart of the Matter as Tommy, now over two decades into recovery, speaks to Elizabeth Vargas about finding a sense of belonging in his unique upbringing, getting to “live two lives” with recovery and why he thinks substance use seems so prominent in the entertainment industry.
Explore more on topics and themes discussed in this episode:
- Navigating the Addiction Treatment System
- Seeking Help: What to Look For, What to Avoid
- Suggesting Treatment to a Loved One
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 this list. 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.
To learn more:
Partnership to End Addiction website
Donate today to help us provide free resources to families
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
Actress Kristen Johnston Describes the Struggles of Overcoming Addiction and Loving Someone with Addiction
Heart of the Matter
03/09/21 • 35 min
Just as Kristen Johnston started finding success as an actress starring in the Emmy-award winning sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun, feelings of self-doubt and panic began overtaking her life. In an unfamiliar city, without her support system nearby, Kristen found comfort in prescription painkillers – initially prescribed to her to treat migraines. Over the years her addiction worsened, turning Kristen into the self-described “Nancy Drew of painkillers.” Her persistent substance use ultimately caused an ulcer in her stomach to burst, sending her to the hospital. The events that followed led Kristen to find help, “break-up with her addiction” and even write the best-selling memoir Guts: The Endless Follies and Tiny Triumphs of a Giant Disaster.
But Kristen also knows what it feels like to love someone suffering from addiction. Just last year, she lost her sister to an accidental overdose. In this episode of Heart of the Matter, Kristen and Elizabeth reflect on the judgment they face as women in recovery, the importance of overcoming shame and the feelings that come with caring for someone struggling with substance use.
Related reading
After you listen, explore these resources from Partnership to End Addiction to learn more about the topics and themes discussed in this episode:
- Understanding Prescription & Over-the-Counter Medication
- Preparing for Life and Recovery Following Treatment
- I Know I Need to Take Care of Myself Too, but How?
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 this list. 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.
To learn more:
Partnership to End Addiction website
Donate today to help us provide free resources to families
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
Top Chef Gregory Gourdet on Reimaging his Relationship with Drugs and Alcohol and Redefining an Industry Bursting with Substance Use
Heart of the Matter
06/15/21 • 35 min
As an up-and-coming chef in Manhattan, Gregory Gourdet found himself surrounded by addictive substances. After finishing an arduous shift at one of the city’s top restaurants, he’d frequently spend the rest of the night partying, fueled by alcohol and cocaine. Eventually, his substance use caught up with him, putting at risk the thing he loved doing most: cooking. It wasn’t until he moved to Portland, Oregon and connected with a community of other chefs who had experiences with addiction that he was able to make the changes he needed. Now Gregory is committed to maintaining his own health, as well as helping others with theirs, whether by sharing nutritious recipes in his new cookbook, Everyone’s Table, or leading a support group of chefs in recovery.
Related reading:
After you listen, explore these resources from Partnership to End Addiction to learn more about the topics and themes discussed in this episode:
- Alcohol: What Families Need to Know to Protect Young People
- How to Identify Substance Use Disorder & Addiction
- Recovery Support Groups for Addiction: One Size Does Not Fit All
To learn more:
Partnership to End Addiction website
Donate today to help us provide free resources to families
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
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FAQ
How many episodes does Heart of the Matter have?
Heart of the Matter currently has 71 episodes available.
What topics does Heart of the Matter cover?
The podcast is about Addiction, Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Therapy, Podcasts and Recovery.
What is the most popular episode on Heart of the Matter?
The episode title 'Former NBA Player Chris Herren on Simone Biles, supporting our youth and the strength in struggle' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Heart of the Matter?
The average episode length on Heart of the Matter is 41 minutes.
How often are episodes of Heart of the Matter released?
Episodes of Heart of the Matter are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of Heart of the Matter?
The first episode of Heart of the Matter was released on Oct 6, 2020.
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