In this episode, Matthew sits down with artist, activist, and author Mary Fisher (@maryfisher), whose landmark 1992 speech at the Republican National Convention changed the face of AIDS awareness and made her a global icon of truth-telling and compassion.
Now in a new chapter of her life, Mary reflects on what it means to grieve not just people, but old lives, family, identity, and the loss of a place in the world. Together, she and Matthew explore how we rebuild, find chosen family, use creativity to heal, and speak up after a lifetime of being told to stay quiet.
This conversation is for anyone feeling disconnected, disempowered, or unsure of how to move forward when life has drastically changed. Mary’s words are a reminder that it’s never too late to reinvent your life, speak your truth, and create beauty from pain.
The distinction between grief and depression—and how naming grief gave Mary her life back
What it feels like to lose family who are still alive, and how to navigate that emotional terrain
How to build a chosen family when your biological one isn’t safe or supportive
The courage behind Mary’s 1992 speech and how mortality shifted her priorities
Why radical honesty can be the foundation for deep connection
Finding the right level of vulnerability early in relationships
How to let go of the fantasy of who someone was “supposed to be”
Creating through pain—how art and creativity became her medicine
Learning to speak up after a lifetime of silence, guilt, and being told to “be a good girl”
How to rewire your inner voice and create safety to be heard
Understanding the difference between connection and one-sided emotional dependence in relationships
Mary Fisher’s new book: Uneasy Silence
Mary’s website: MaryFisher.com
Instagram: @maryfisherart
Project Angel Food (charity supported by Mary’s book): angelfood.org
Matthew AI (24/7 coaching): AskMH.com
Join our retreat in October: MHRetreat.com