From Prison to Oprah

What happens when a suburban soccer mom falls into heroin addiction, commits felonies, and ends up in prison—only to climb back out and become a four-time New York Times bestselling author? In this unforgettable episode, Paul sits down with Lara Love Hardin, author of The Many Lives of Mama Love, a mind-blowing memoir of crippling dependence, incarceration, and survival. Oprah, who picked ‘Mama Love’ for her official book club, described it as "a powerful exploration of redemption, joy, and the human capacity for change.” With unflinching honesty and unexpected humor, Lara shares her journey from PTA meetings to jailhouse shot-caller. In just a few years, she went from stealing from her neighbors to support her narcotic habit to ghostwriting best-sellers for global heroes like Bishop Desmond Tutu. Her story isn’t just about addiction or recovery—it’s about resilience, forgiveness, and how second chances can rewrite a life. If you’ve ever wondered whether transformation is truly possible, this conversation will make you believe in the messy, complicated, and inspiring fight to begin again. Learn more about the work Lara does to help women newly-released from prison get back on their feet: The Gemma Project https://www.thegemmaproject.org/ Subscribe to Paul’s Substack here: https://words.paulollinger.com/