Heart of the Matter
Episodes
Carleah Summers: Helping Mothers Recover from Addiction by Keeping Families Together
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Carleah Summers shares her journey from addiction to recovery and how her experience inspired her to open Andrea's House, a non-profit residentia...
Matt Dorsey's Journey Through Addiction, Relapse, and Helping San Francisco's Recovery Community
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Author Lara Love Hardin’s Story of Addiction, Jail, and Redemption
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lara Love Hardin discusses her journey from suburban soccer mom hiding a heroin addiction to bestselling author. As a result of stealing money and cre...
Hootie & the Blowfish's Jim Sonefeld: From Rockstar to Recovery Advocate
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jim Sonefeld, drummer for Hootie & the Blowfish, shares his powerful journey from concert tours fueled by alcohol to finding recovery at age 40. H...
Dr. Kristen Gilliland: A Mother's Journey from Neuroscience to Advocacy
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After losing one son to overdose and watching another struggle with lifelong schizophrenia, neuroscientist Dr. Kristen Gilliland reveals what she wish...
Recovery Through Music and Harm Reduction with This Must Be the Place’s William Perry
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
William Perry shares his powerful journey from childhood trauma and opioid addiction to a 10-year prison sentence, and ultimately to co-founding This ...
Can GLP-1 medications help in addiction treatment?
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can GLP-1 medications like Ozempic help treat addiction? Elizabeth Vargas talks with Pat Aussem, Vice President of Consumer Clinical Content Developme...
Walker Hayes on recovery and resilience
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Broadway star and American Idol finalist Constantine Maroulis talks resilience and recovery
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the season finale of Heart of the Matter, Broadway star and American Idol finalist Constantine Maroulis opens up about his personal struggle with s...
Jackie Siegel: “The Queen of Versailles” on her mission to save lives
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jackie Siegel, also known as “The Queen of Versailles,” joins Elizabeth Vargas to share the heartbreaking journey of her daughter Victoria, who st...
Cammie Wolf Rice's mission to save lives through opioid prevention
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on “Heart of the Matter,” Elizabeth Vargas sits down with philanthropist and author Cammie Wolf Rice. Cammie shares the heartbreaking st...
Patrick Kennedy and Tonie Dreher on the importance of sharing stories of mental health and addiction
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Former U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy discusses his book "Profiles in Mental Health Courage," spotlighting a diverse group of people wh...
How Lauren Sisler is turning grief into action with new book “Shatterproof”
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sports reporter and author Lauren Sisler opens up to Elizabeth Vargas this week on Heart of the Matter about her parents' hidden struggles with a...
Stefanie Wilder-Taylor on navigating parenthood and celebrating 15 years in recovery with new book “Drunk-ish”
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of “Heart of the Matter,” author and comedian Stefanie Wilder-Taylor opens up to Elizabeth Vargas about her struggle with alcohol,...
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Randy Grimes on helping athletes with addiction
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Randy Grimes, former starting center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, silently struggled with an addiction to prescription pills during his tenure. On th...
Braunwyn Windham-Burke on quitting alcohol while on “The Real Housewives of Orange County"
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
“Below Deck” star Captain Sandy Yawn celebrates over 30 years in recovery
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 y...
Figlia founder Lily Geiger: On how her dad's alcohol use impacted her life and inspired her brand
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Figlia founder Lily Geiger joins Elizabeth Vargas to share the inspiration behind her non-alcoholic cocktail brand. Lily reveals what it was like grow...
Author David Ambroz: On his journey from foster care to giving back
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of “Heart of the Matter”, award-winning author David Ambroz joins Elizabeth Vargas to share his incredible journey of overcoming p...
State Attorney Dave Aronberg: On how to find treatment centers
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dave Aronberg, who serves as the Palm Beach County State Attorney in Florida, speaks with Elizabeth Vargas about navigating the treatment system. They...
Chef Ashish Alfred gets personal about his addiction
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning chef Ashish Alfred joins Elizabeth Vargas to discuss his family history with substance use – including his own addiction. Now that he’...
Lady A’s Charles Kelley: On Honesty in Recovery
30 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 hi...
Actor and producer Frankie Grande: Overcoming addiction and finding support
20 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From a young age, actor and producer Frankie Grande found himself addicted to achievements, craving praise from teachers and his mother. When he was c...
TikTok’s Recovery Community with Ryann Cooke and Jordan Shelton
06 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 b...
The Surgeon General on the Loneliness Epidemic and His Own Personal Story
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Surgeon General of the United States, Dr. Vivek Murthy, recently made history by declaring a loneliness epidemic. Feelings of loneliness are on th...
Fentanyl Q&A with award-winning author and journalist Sam Quinones
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
May 9, 2023 is National Fentanyl Awareness Day, a day to spread awareness and education about this deadly substance that is increasingly affecting you...
Big Sky actress Dedee Pfeiffer: Alcohol, Trauma & Recovery
25 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“Big Sky” actress Dedee Pfeiffer speaks to Elizabeth Vargas about how she silently struggled with an addiction to alcohol, stemming from years of ...
Desperate Housewives' Madison De La Garza: Marijuana, Treatment & Family Support
11 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Elizabeth Vargas is joined by “Desperate Housewives” actress Madison De La Garza to talk about marijuana use disorder and the role her famous fami...
“Same Love” singer-songwriter Mary Lambert: On overcoming childhood trauma and her struggle with alcohol
28 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“Same Love” singer-songwriter Mary Lambert opens up to Elizabeth Vargas about how experiencing childhood trauma, including sexual assault, being d...
Actor and author Matthew Perry: On his addiction journey
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Elizabeth Vargas sits down with actor Matthew Perry for an emotional conversation recorded during his book tour for his bestselling book, “Friends, ...
Comedian and actor Tommy Davidson: On finding a second life in recovery
01 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Tommy Davidson’s childhood was anything but textbook. Discovered on the streets as a toddler by his adoptive white mother, he faced alienation from ...
Best-selling author David Magee: On how recovery is a journey
18 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As a child, best-selling author David Magee felt that his life purpose was to write a book that could change lives. He recently told his remarkable jo...
Actor and author Cameron Douglas: On recovery, triumph and fatherhood
04 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Heart of the Matter, actor and author Cameron Douglas, son of Michael Douglas, opens up to Elizabeth Vargas about his incredible recovery...
Co-founder of Sober Mom Squad Jessica Landon: On second chances, family and laughter
20 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As an actress, comedian and Playboy model, Jessica Landon appeared to have the perfect life. But deep down, she was silently suffering from unresolved...
“Below Deck” star Captain Lee Rosbach: On guilt, loss and healing
06 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Bravo’s “Below Deck” star Captain Lee Rosbach opens up to Elizabeth Vargas on the season three premiere of Heart of the Matter about the excruci...
Harold Koplewicz: Addressing the growing youth mental health crisis
12 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In our latest episode of Heart of the Matter, host Elizabeth Vargas is joined by Harold Koplewicz, president and medical director of the Child Mind In...
Zachary Levi: Understanding the importance of self-love
28 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest episode of Heart of the Matter, Elizabeth Vargas is joined by actor Zachary Levi, who opens up about his lifelong struggle with anxiety,...
Paul Holes on his New York Times bestselling book “Unmasked” and the importance of having honest mental health discussions
14 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest episode of Heart of the Matter, Elizabeth Vargas is joined by investigator Paul Holes, New York Times bestselling author of “Unmasked:...
BONUS EPISODE: Katie Couric interviews Elizabeth Vargas on Next Question Podcast!
31 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for a bonus episode! Elizabeth recently joined Katie Couric for her podcast Next Question with Katie Couric to discuss the increasing use of a...
Dr. Nora Volkow on the state of adolescent mental health and why we urgently need to apply the lessons learned in the pandemic to addiction and mental health
17 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Like many families, Dr. Nora Volkow’s had kept it a secret that her grandfather had a substance use disorder and eventually committed suicide. Today...
Song for Charlie co-founders Ed and Mary Ternan on the dramatic rise of counterfeit prescription pills
03 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
After a counterfeit tablet purchased on social media took their son Charlie’s life, Ed and Mary Ternan were determined to take action. Rather than b...
Dan Schneider of Netflix's The Pharmacist on his crusade to end the opioid epidemic and find justice for his son
19 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
After losing his son Danny Jr. to a substance-related shooting, Louisiana pharmacist Dan Schneider was determined to hold the powerful figures behind ...
Physician and author Carl Erik Fisher on the history of addiction and the capacity for recovery
05 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Physician and author Carl Erik Fisher is both a doctor who specializes in addiction treatment and a person who is very public about his own struggles ...
Author and journalist Sam Quinones on the rise of fentanyl, the methamphetamine crisis and the future of addiction
22 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In 2015, award-winning author and journalist Sam Quinones took the world by storm with his heavily lauded book Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s...
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller on the work of recovery and the past as legacy
08 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 scout...
Radical compassion and the power of empathy: in the halls with the students of Northshore Recovery High School
22 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In many ways, Michelle Lipinski is the principal of a high school just like any other. Students rush from class to class from the morning to afternoon...
Award-winning screenwriter and producer Danny Strong and author Beth Macy on Dopesick and the Sackler family
08 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When the miniseries Dopesick premiered on Hulu in late 2021, it was to a world reeling from the conclusion of Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy proceedings...
REPOST: Anne and Sam Lamott on radical self-care, the genetics of addiction and recovery as inner grace
25 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’re re-airing one of our favorite interviews from Heart of the Matter with Elizabeth Vargas, featuring Anne and Sam Lamott. Bestselling...
REPOST: Laura McKowen on facing pain, telling the truth and looking inward
11 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’re re-airing one of our favorite episodes of Heart of the Matter, featuring author and founder of The Luckiest Club, Laura McKowen. Wh...
REPOST: Emmy Award-winning actress Patricia Heaton opens up about overcoming drinking, having faith and being a mother
28 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’re re-airing one of our favorite interviews from Heart of the Matter with Elizabeth Vargas featuring Emmy Award winner Patricia Heaton...
REPOST: Top Chef Gregory Gourdet on Reimaging his Relationship with Drugs and Alcohol and Redefining an Industry Bursting with Substance Use
14 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’re re-airing one of our favorite interviews from Heart of the Matter with Elizabeth Vargas, featuring chef Gregory Gourdet. When Grego...
REPOST: Actress Kristen Johnston Describes the Struggles of Overcoming Addiction and Loving Someone with Addiction
30 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’re re-airing one of our favorite interviews from Heart of the Matter with Elizabeth Vargas, featuring actress and star of 3rd Rock fro...
World and international boxing champion Mia St. John on the isolation of relapse, recovery as connection and her fight through grief and loss
16 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A fighter in every sense of the word, boxing champion Mia St. John encountered addiction from a young age, growing up with a father who struggled with...
Anne and Sam Lamott on radical self-care, the genetics of addiction and recovery as inner grace
02 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling novelist and essayist Anne Lamott had more than her share of experience with substance use disorders: Growing up with family members with ...
Cheryl Burke of “Dancing with the Stars” on therapeutic honesty, addiction in the family and life in the spotlight
19 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
To the fans who watch her on their TV screens, Cheryl Burke leads the picture-perfect life, dancing her way across countless stages and starring on na...
Author and activist Ryan Hampton on the inside story of the Purdue Pharma settlement and looking beyond the Sackler family
05 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the early 2000s, Ryan Hampton was homeless and struggling with an opioid addiction, wondering how he had gone from working as a White House staffer...
BONUS EPISODE: Elizabeth gets interviewed by Annie Grace on This Naked Mind!
28 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for a bonus episode! Recently, Elizabeth was interviewed by Annie Grace, host of This Naked Mind, a podcast that explores the role alcohol pla...
Emmy Award-winning actress Patricia Heaton opens up about overcoming drinking, having faith and being a mother
21 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Heart of the Matter, Elizabeth Vargas interviews Emmy Award- winning actress Patricia Heaton. When Patricia was in the middle of it...
Author Laura McKowen on facing pain, telling the truth and looking inward
07 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Former NBA Player Chris Herren on Simone Biles, supporting our youth and the strength in struggle
24 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
To any outsider in his Massachusetts high school, star basketball player Chris Herren looked on top of the world, with broken records behind him and a...
Brandon Novak on underestimating his addiction and turning inward to find recovery
10 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Former professional skateboarder, TV stuntman, and recovery advocate Brandon Novak joins Elizabeth Vargas to talk about how he went from a skateboardi...
“Drunk Dreams,” Emerging from the Pandemic and Destigmatizing Addiction with Political Commentator Molly Jong-Fast
27 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For the 20th episode of Heart of the Matter, Elizabeth Vargas is joined by her friend, writer and political commentator Molly Jong-Fast. Despite enter...
Facing a Family Disease with Congresswoman Madeleine Dean & Son Harry Cunnane
13 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Congresswoman Madeleine Dean thought she understood addiction – but it wasn’t until her son Harry Cunnane was struggling that she came to truly re...
The Origins of the Opioid Epidemic with “Empire of Pain” Author, Patrick Radden Keefe
29 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Heart of the Matter, ElizabethVargas interviews bestselling author and investigative journalist Patrick Radden Keefe about his late...
Top Chef Gregory Gourdet on Reimaging his Relationship with Drugs and Alcohol and Redefining an Industry Bursting with Substance Use
15 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As an up-and-coming chef in Manhattan, Gregory Gourdet found himself surrounded by addictive substances. After finishing an arduous shift at one of th...
REPOST: Dignity, respect and addiction recovery with Chef & TV Host Andrew Zimmern
01 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’re re-airing one of our favorite interviews featured on Heart of the Matter with Elizabeth Vargas. In addition to being a chef and TV ...
Protecting Teens and Preventing Substance Use with Author Jessica Lahey
18 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Heart of the Matter, Elizabeth is joined by New York Times best-selling author Jessica Lahey to discuss her latest book, The Addict...
Partnership to End Addiction’s Board Chair, Jamie Niven: Growing up as a Hollywood kid and putting down the bottle as an adult
04 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Despite being the son of an Academy Award-winning actor, Jamie Niven’s life wasn’t all glitz and glamour. At just six months old, Jamie’s mother...
Obama’s Drug Czar Michael Botticelli discusses George Floyd, DMX and the Pervasiveness of Stigma
20 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For the 14th episode of Heart of the Matter, Elizabeth Vargas is joined by one of the nation’s leading addiction experts: Michael Botticelli. As the...
Shoe Mogul, Steve Madden on Seeing Miracles, Making Mistakes, Relapse and Recovery
06 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Before he could start his incredibly popular shoe empire, Steve Madden needed to overcome his own struggles with addiction. Inspired by the principles...
Grief and Giving Back with Admiral James and Mary Winnefeld
23 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As parents, Mary and Admiral James “Sandy” Winnefeld just wanted to protect their son, Jonathan. This was a job Sandy felt he should have been wel...
Actress Kristen Johnston Describes the Struggles of Overcoming Addiction and Loving Someone with Addiction
09 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Former NFL player Montee Ball speaks on mental health, masculinity and making a difference for communities of color
23 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
He was a highly celebrated student athlete with a promising professional career ahead of him. Yet, due to his struggles with addiction, Montee Ball fo...
The Bachelorette’s Zac Clark discusses faking illnesses for narcotics and finding true love
09 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Before Zac Clark was introduced to television viewers on The Bachelorette, he was considered the "life of the party" and willing to go to gr...
Jeremiah Fraites of The Lumineers on humanizing addiction and making music
26 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When he was 14 years old, Jeremiah Fraites of The Lumineers lost his older brother, Joshua, to a heroin overdose. He describes it as the worst thing t...
Author Holly Whitaker on forging her own path and why women struggle with alcohol use
12 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For the first episode of 2021, Elizabeth is joined by Holly Whitaker, author of Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice Not to Drink in a Culture Obsess...
Dignity, respect and addiction recovery with Chef & TV Host, Andrew Zimmern
29 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Heart of the Matter with Elizabeth Vargas, TV personality, chef, writer, teacher and social justice advocate Andrew Zimmern discuss...
Dopesick Author Beth Macy on the opioid epidemic and reporting from rural America
15 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Since journalist and author, Beth Macy published her New York Times bestseller Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company That Addicted America ...
White House appointee Jim Carroll on the Trump administration & the addiction crisis
01 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jim Carroll was sworn in as the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) in 2019. His agency’s mission: to stop th...
Parenting, perseverance, and relapse with Author David Sheff
17 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We are grateful to have David Sheff on today's episode of Heart of the Matter. David Sheff is the author of Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journe...
Patrick Kennedy discusses Family, Recovery, and Policy
03 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today on Heart of the Matter Elizabeth sits down with former U.S. Representative Patrick J. Kennedy. Patrick has been open about his addiction and men...
Chris Herren on Basketball, Addiction, and Recovery
20 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Herren, former NBA player and founder of Herren Talks, Herren Project and Herren Wellness, shares intimate details of his journey and how he’s...
Series Trailer
06 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Series Trailer for the new and upcoming podcast Heart of the MatterTo learn more:Partnership to End Addiction websiteDonate today to help us provide f...