Jamie Hess & Legendary Journalist Joan Lunden | "I Didn't Wake Up Until I Almost Died..."

Buckle your seatbelts, because today we’re taking you into a conversation 20 years in the making. Host Jamie Hess sits down with her mother, legendary TV journalist, Joan Lunden, to walk through Jamie’s dark years of addiction. Joan may have felt unprepared to confront it when Jamie was a teenager, but wait until you hear how she finally got the courage to do something bold… and how it changed everything going forward. Jamie always says that “those who have been to the darkest places see the light that much brighter”… and today, this mother/daughter duo shine their light together to bring closure to a dark time in their past… and shine light on the focus for this show: using life’s toughest lessons to develop the grateful spirit that fuels us forward.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:05] Jamie introduces Joan Lunden and the beginning of her career on Good Morning America as a working mother. [03:45] Jamie begins to introduce herself.[07:30] Joan and Jamie speak about what Jamie’s childhood was like.[10:30] Joan and Jamie talk about Jamie’s experience attending public school.[13:07] Jamie talks about the “rave” scene and the end of her innocence. [16:37] Jamie describes her time as a professional horseback rider and receiving a call from her best friend that brought her reality into perspective.  [18:19] Joan recounts the warning she received from the police about Jamie’s behavior and whereabouts.[23:42] Jamie speaks about the start of her PR career in NYC and the continuation of her drug abuse. [26:54] Jamie talks about her recovery journey. [28:10] Jamie describes “the gift of desperation” while Joan recounts sending Jamie to rehab and why she put it off for so long. [32:21] Jamie explains her side of trying to seek help, admitting that she was grateful to Joan for doing the hard part for her. [34:21] Jamie shares the first gratitude practice she learned in rehab that helped her recognize its importance. [36:09] Joan talks about her breast cancer journey and how gratitude has helped her experience. KEY TAKEAWAYS:[21:27] Jamie shares the three phases of drug addiction: fun, fun with problems, and then just problems. [26:20] Jamie explains the misconception of addicts and says instead that they are “sick people trying to get well”[34:20] Joan and Jamie talk about how finding gratitude made them resilient through the darkest moments of their lives.************Make sure to follow Jamie @jamiehess on Instagram for news & updates, and visit our companion Instagram account @gratitudeology for a sneak peek into the personal moments discussed on the show.************Thank you to Joan Lunden for helping kick off the show in such a special way. Follow Joan on Instagram @joanlunden and check out joanlunden.com.************The Gratitudeology Podcast theme music is by HYLLS, performed by Nadia Ali.************Joan’s Bio:An award-winning journalist, bestselling author, television host, and motivational speaker, Joan Lunden has been a trusted voice in American homes for more than 40 years. For nearly two decades, Lunden greeted viewers each morning on Good Morning America making her the longest running female host ever on early morning television.Lunden continues to be one of America’s most recognized and trusted journalists which has made her a sought-after speaker for events across the country. As an ardent health & senior advocate, Lunden has testified before the Food and Drug Administration advocating mandatory mammogram reporting and the Congressional House Ways and Means Committee advocating for the Family and Medical Leave Act.Lunden is the host of the PBS television series, Second Opinion with Joan Lunden and the Washington Post Podcast series, Caring for Tomorrow on the future of healthcare. Lunden is also the ambassador to the Poynter Institute’s MediaWise for Seniors program which educates individuals over 50 on media literacy - separating fact from fiction online.  Recently, Lunden also served as a visiting professor at Lehigh University in their College of Health teaching Population Health and the Media.In June of 2014, Lunden was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. An eternal optimist, she turned her diagnosis and subsequent cancer treatment into an opportunity to become an advocate to help others. Lunden shared her battle against breast cancer in her book Had I Known. Lunden continues to interact with American’s daily on her website, Joanlunden.com as well as her social media platforms. Lunden has served as national spokesperson for various organizations such as the American Heart Association, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, American Lung Association, American Red Cross, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Colon Cancer Alliance.  Joan Lunden truly exemplifies today’s modern working woman.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands