logo
episode-header-image
May 28
1h 10m

298: Dating After Divorce, Addiction, an...

MATTHEW HUSSEY
About this episode

In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Matthew sits down with Laurie Woolever—author of Care and Feeding: A Memoir—to explore the journey of reclaiming one’s voice after years of living in the shadow of larger-than-life figures like Anthony Bourdain and Mario Batali.

Topics covered:

  • Why Laurie finally chose to write her memoir after decades in food media.

  • What it's like to stop headlining other people’s lives and start showing up in your own.

  • Her path through addiction, shame, and sobriety—and how it shaped her.

  • The emotional toll and moral complexity of writing honestly about people she’s loved.

  • The collapse of a marriage and the ripple effects of one deeply vulnerable moment.

  • Infidelity, accountability, and what radical self-acceptance really looks like.

  • Why “nice but boring” often hides deeper emotional safety—and how to spot a mature relationship.

  • Dating in your 40s and beyond.

  • What “playing the tape forward” teaches us about addiction, impulse, and the allure of red flags.

  • Advice for people stuck in toxic attraction loops or mourning heartbreak they fear they’ll never get over.

Whether you’re grappling with heartbreak, questioning your worth, or trying to navigate the messy terrain of self-reinvention, this episode will feel like a conversation with someone who’s lived it and survived to tell the truth.

 


🔗 Links

Up next
Today
304: Why Finding Love Starts With Redefining Success (Feat. Sahil Bloom)
In today’s episode, Matthew is joined by bestselling author Sahil Bloom, whose book The Five Types of Wealth challenges everything we think we know about success. Together they dive into the tension between chasing money and cultivating a deeply fulfilling life—especially in the ... Show More
1h 8m
Jul 7
(Matt Monday): They Ghosted You? Here’s the Only Response That Wins
If you’ve ever been ghosted, you know how brutal it feels. It’s like the floor suddenly dropped out from under you. But here’s the truth: Ghosting isn’t about you—it’s usually about the other person’s immaturity or inability to have a hard conversation. In this episode, I’ll expl ... Show More
20m 34s
Jul 4
(Rewind): You’ll Push Them Away if You Try Too Hard. Do This Instead
In this week's episode of Love Life, I speak with Sarah who had just started dating her "dream guy" before things took a turn for the worst when she left for a week. With his attention lost, we discuss the subtle ways she can regain it. -- ►► Discover What the Most Confident Vers ... Show More
9m 31s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2025
Her Husband Cheated & Wants a Baby with His Mistress… Now What? w/ Marriage Pinnacle
In this deeply emotional episode of Real Love Scenario, Dre and Rhonda tackle a listener’s heartbreaking dilemma—her best friend’s husband has been unfaithful and now wants to start a family with his mistress, while she struggles with infertility.Joined by Dr. Lara and Memi from ... Show More
1h 18m
Jan 2025
Jillian Turecki on Self-Love, Self-esteem, and Building Healthy Relationships
In this thought-provoking episode of The Conversation, host Amanda de Cadenet sits down with Jillian Turecki, author of It Begins With You, to explore the transformative journey of self-love, building self-esteem, and creating healthy relationships. Jillian shares personal storie ... Show More
39m 26s
Apr 3
He Broke Her Heart But Won Her Back | Brandon Doerkse
Brandon Doerkse opens up about how he nearly lost his marriage due to emotional numbness, distraction, and addiction. For years, he struggled with avoidance, failing to recognize how his actions were eroding the trust and intimacy in his relationship. It wasn’t until he hit rock ... Show More
1h 21m
Jun 6
STOP Doing These 3 Things If You Want Him to Commit | Margarita Nazarenko & Adam Lane Smith
In this conversation, Adam welcomes Margarita Nazarenko, a viral voice of tough love on relationships, for a deep, honest dialogue about anxious attachment, emotional patterns, and why so many women end up chasing emotionally unavailable men. Margarita offers clarity, accountabil ... Show More
55m 50s
Mar 2025
Why Women Settle (and How to Finally Put Yourself First)
Many women find themselves in relationships that look perfect on paper but leave them feeling unfulfilled. In this episode, dating expert Julia Mazur shares her personal journey of settling in relationships and how she finally broke free. She discusses societal expectations, pers ... Show More
50m 22s
May 8
Aurora Culpo & Adam Lane Smith: Breaking the Cycle of Toxic Love
In this episode, Aurora Culpo returns with a candid and emotionally honest update about her personal life. She opens up about the complexity of dating after heartbreak, the internal battles of self-worth, and how she’s navigating a new relationship under the scrutiny of public at ... Show More
1h 33m
Mar 2025
Adam Lane Smith & Shallon Lester: Avoidant Attachment Red Flags – “Never Trust Words Alone”
In this episode, Adam Lane Smith and Shallon Lester expose the hidden red flags of avoidant attachment and why trusting words alone can lead to heartbreak. They break down the toxic dating patterns that leave women feeling unworthy, discuss why men rarely change without consequen ... Show More
1h 16m
Nov 2024
Lori Gottlieb: 7 Answers to Dating Questions You’re Afraid to Ask & How to Break Free from Relationship Timelines
Have you ever felt stuck in a negative relationship cycle? Have you ever struggled with setting boundaries in your relationships? Today, Jay welcomes back a community favorite, the renowned psychotherapist, bestselling author, and podcast host Lori Gottlieb, for an insightful cha ... Show More
1h 23m
Oct 2024
Holding Out for Love: Why Waiting for Marriage Matters
Navigating Relationships, Objectification, and Abstinence: Real Talk and Advice In this engaging episode of Real Lover Reviews, join hosts Dre and Rhonda as they explore an array of timely topics, from the holiday spirit sparked by Mariah Carey's famous Christmas song to deep div ... Show More
46m 12s
Jun 2
How to Trust the Timing of Your Life with Krista Williams and Lindsey Simcik of Almost 30
No matter what stage of life you’re in (but especially if you’re feeling lost/unbalanced/behind at all), this episode will help guide you. We loved recording with Krista and Lindsey of Almost 30 podcast again and talking about all the changes that have happened in our own lives o ... Show More
1h 37m