Heart of the Matter

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 Obsessed with Alcohol and founder and CEO of the online recovery program, The Tempest. In this interview, Holly and Elizabeth discuss their experiences as women coming to terms with the impact alcohol was having on their lives, how addiction is portrayed i...

In this episode of Heart of the Matter with Elizabeth Vargas , TV personality, chef, writer, teacher and social justice advocate Andrew Zimmern discusses losing 15 years of his life to addiction, achieving nearly 30 years of recovery, and ultimately “writing his own syllabus for life.” While best known for traveling the world and exploring shocking cuisine as executive producer and host of the Tra...

Since journalist and author, Beth Macy published her New York Times bestseller Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company That Addicted America in 2018, an additional 100,000 people have died in the U.S. due to opioid overdoses. Beth Macy is an incredible writer and champion for those who do not have a voice. Together, Elizabeth and Beth engage in an energizing and terrifying conversation ab...

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 the flow of illegal drugs in the United States and to connect those suffering from addiction with the tools they need to achieve recovery. On this episode of Heart of the Matter, Jim joins Elizabeth to discuss the Trump administration's response to...

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 Journey Through His Son's Addiction which inspired the film of the same name, starring Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet. David Sheff offers a unique perspective as a parent who supported a  son navigating substance use for more than 10 years. David...

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 mental health challenges and has learned how to navigate this deeply personal issue while also being in the public eye. He was a co-sponsor of the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, a testament to his commitment to making mental health...

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 now using his experience to change the way high school students think about substance use. The First Day film makes his powerful storytelling available to schools and communities across the country. Visit chrisherren.com for additional information on...

Series Trailer for the new and upcoming podcast Heart of the Matter To learn more: Partnership to End Addiction website Donate today to help us provide free resources to families Leave a review on Apple Podcasts