Was It Chance?

#60 - Lara Love Hardin: Climbing Back From a Heroin Addiction

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From New York Times bestselling author comes a tale of personal redemption. Uncover the incredible journey of Lara Love Hardin in this intimate episode, Lara reveals her struggles, the power of self-forgiveness, and the profound impact of storytelling. Dive into a story of hope and the unyielding strength of the human spirit that promises to leave you inspired. Listen now - the story of Lara Love Hardin is one you won't want to miss.

Connect with Lara on Instagram get a copy of ‘The Many Lives of Mama Love’

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  • More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files
  • More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales


    • EPISODE TAKEAWAYS

    • Lara didn’t expect her memoir, “The Many Lives of Mama Love” to touch so many lives and provide peace to so many
    • The books Lara works on, as a literary agent always have impact - that’s what she’s seeking to put out into the world
    • Prior to releasing her memoir, she was living in a constant state of fear and shame - the book was a way to release all that fear and shame. Owning your story is so incredibly powerful
    • Lara spent so much time trying to prove she was worthy and good enough but always afraid her past would take everything away
    • Forgiveness is easy for Lara - with everyone except herself. When she wrote the chapter on “self-forgiveness” for Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s book she had to face this head-on and it changed the game
    • “Reading was my first addiction” - reading was an escape and a way to protect herself
    • If you want to be a writer you have to read and read and read
    • With a natural aptitude for writing Lara got a lot of attention and approval at school and she craved more of that
    • Writing is a way for Lara to feel good
    • There’s a very special gift to be able to write in the voice of others
    • Collaborative writing and ghostwriting are, basically, the same thing
    • Two years out of jail and on probation, Lara was struggling to get a job. When she saw a Craigslist post for a part-time literary agent assistant
    • When someone believes in you, you rise above and beyond their expectations - we all need to be believed in
    • Lara worked her way up to CEO from Idea Arcitechs and then left to start her own agency, True Literary.
    • True Literary’s mission is to help create books and content that entertains, transforms, provokes, and inspires (not necessarily in that order).
    • Starting her own agency was about the freedom to choose who she worked with and what books/authors she took on and also being able to decide how she wants to spend her time and be fully free
    • “There is no room for creativity when you’re in survival mode”
    • The Gemma Project is about gender and trauma-responsive care for incarcerated women
    • Stay tuned because Lara’s memoir is being optioned for a made-for-TV film
    • It takes a lot to shake Lara, she doesn’t fear failure because she doesn’t personalize it. It’s all just feedback
    • Hope can be squishy but Lara’s philosophy is “I look forward to looking back on this someday” and she loves it when people underestimate her.

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      Was It Chance?By Alan Seales, Heather Vickery & Broadway Podcast Network