Maria Groten and Amber Simpson
Affairs Of The Heart
Welcome to Affairs of the Heart — a podcast about life, love, and the deep connections that shape us. Hosted by two friends who feel like they've known each other forever, we invite you into honest conversations about the things that matter most. From heartbreak to healing, loss to laughter, we're here to listen, learn, and grow together. This is more than just a podcast — it's a space for real talk, real friendship, and the beautiful messiness of being human. Music by Ruel Thomas. Check him out at ruelmusic.com
Author
Maria Groten and Amber Simpson
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Dec 17, 2025
Where to listen?
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Episodes
A Story of Survival, Sisterhood, and Motherhood 17.12.2025 35:03
In this personal episode, we sit down with my baby sister who was diagnosed with cancer at 12 years old- and again at 21- she faced fear, loss and uncertainty about her future. But her courage didn't end with surviving cancer. Years later, she found herself on another difficult path: infertility. We talk about resilience, faith, grief, healing, and the power of never giving up.
From Caregiver to Conqueror: Lori's Story through Trauma, Addiction, and Rebirth 19.11.2025 42:41
In this episode of Affairs of the Heart, Lori shares her story of being raised as an only child in the shadow of her mother's mental illness, her own battle with addiction, and her road to sobriety. Today she is thriving as the owner of a flourishing nail salon in Salt Lake City. Join us for our raw conversation about how she made it through the difficult times in her life and found peace, freedo...
From Excommunication to Exuberance: Dr. Nicholas Howland's Journey Through Faith, Trauma, and Triumph 05.11.2025 51:12
In this episode of Affairs of the Heart, Dr. Nicholas Howland opens up about the raw chapters of his life that inspired his new book, "The Atheist's Prayer: A Memoir of Gratitude". We delve into the pain of being excommunicated from the LDS Church-not once, but twice- and the aftermath of traumatic car accidents that tested his very survival. Today, Dr. Howlands stands as a celebrated plastic su...
Journeys of Faith and Family 22.10.2025 31:53
In this episode, we're talking about Angie's decision to leave the LDS Church in her 40s, the joys and challenges of raising five incredible children- including her adopted African-American twin girls- in a predominantly white, LDS community, and the practical and emotional work of redefining faith, family, and identity. Angie's story is full of faith and love.
Catching up with Amber and Maria 08.10.2025 38:02
Amber and Maria have been traveling a bunch and just got back on the podcasting couch. Catch up with their coming and goings, friends and family, and food for thought... from lobster in Maine to street food in Seoul to fondue in the Alps, and finally back to home cooking.
Katy Sine: A Masterclass in Self-Love, Service, & Soulful Living 24.09.2025 23:32
Katy Sine is more than the Emmy-winning host of Taste Utah - she's a fierce advocate for self-love, healing, and community. In this inspiring episode, she shares how loving yourself can change everything.
Ruel Thomas on Music, Loss, and Resilience 10.09.2025 38:46
At 30, Ruel is living his dream as a full-time musician in Austin, Texas. But behind the music is a story of childhood loss, resilience, and a recent cancer diagnosis. This is his most personal performance yet- his own story.
Going Places on a Stationary Bike: Mike & Dan's Journey 27.08.2025 41:40
Meet the duo behind Torrent Cycle and Tenet Café, a grounded and growing fitness community in Salt Lake City. Mike and Dan are partners in life and in business, and their successes in one reinforces success in the other. Their whole is truly greater than the sum of their parts. In this heartfelt conversation, they share how they went from careers in NYC to becoming beloved business owners in Salt...
From the Field to the Mind: Bridger's Unconventional Path to Healing 13.08.2025 45:04
From college football to psychiatry, Bridger's journey is anything but ordinary. He shares why he walked away from surgery, how he treats his patients with heart and humanity, and why he believes healing starts before the prescription.
Love, Again - Second Chances and Staying the Course 30.07.2025 44:51
In this candid and uplifting episode, Amber and Maria are joined by their husbands for a conversation about love the second time around. Together, they open up about what it means to rebuild trust, show up through the hard seasons, and choose each other- again and again. It's a heartfelt look at marriage, resilience, and the unexpected beauty of staying the course.
Holding On, Letting Go - A Conversation with Joseph and Laura Lee Kozusko 16.07.2025 42:16
In this intimate episode of Affairs of the Heart, Amber and Maria sit down with Joseph and his wife Laura Lee as they share the raw, beautiful truths of living through the final days of life. With grace, love, and surprising moments of lightness, they talk about what really matters, what they're learning in letting go, and how love endures-even in the goodbye. To read Joseph in his own words go t...
From Hello to Heart-Level In No Time 02.07.2025 41:59
In the premiere episode of Affairs of the Heart, Amber and Maria invite you into the story of their unexpected and soul-nourishing friendship. What started as a new connection quickly turned into something that felt like it had always been there. In this honest and heartfelt conversation, they share why they felt called to create this podcast- a space for real talk, deep listening, and the kind o...
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