https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/affairs-of-the-heart--6669328
Music by Ruel Thomas. Check him out at ruelmusic.com]]>enRelationshipsCopyright Maria Groten and Amber Simpsonhttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/054422e5c7a9a4b4a7f45745ecd4c6fa.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/affairs-of-the-heart--6669328Sun, 11 Jan 2026 19:16:16 +0000Maria Groten and Amber SimpsonMaria Groten and Amber Simpsonfeeds@spreaker.comWelcome to Affairs of the Heart — a podcast about life, love, and the deep connections that shape us. Hosted by two friends who feel like they've known each other forever, we invite you into honest conversations about the things that matter most. From...
Music by Ruel Thomas. Check him out at ruelmusic.com]]>falsed5fa0b9c-3a5c-550b-bd4f-dbbb1246faefepisodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-story-of-survival-sisterhood-and-motherhood--69099384In this personal episode, we sit down with my baby sister who was diagnosed with cancer at 12 years old- and again at 21- she faced fear, loss and uncertainty about her future.  But her courage didn't end with surviving cancer.  Years later, she found herself on another difficult path: infertility.  We talk about resilience, faith, grief, healing, and the power of never giving up.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69099384Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:25:19 +0000Maria Groten and Amber SimpsonIn this personal episode, we sit down with my baby sister who was diagnosed with cancer at 12 years old- and again at 21- she faced fear, loss and uncertainty about her future.  But her courage didn't end with surviving cancer.  Years later, she found...In this personal episode, we sit down with my baby sister who was diagnosed with cancer at 12 years old- and again at 21- she faced fear, loss and uncertainty about her future.  But her courage didn't end with surviving cancer.  Years later, she found herself on another difficult path: infertility.  We talk about resilience, faith, grief, healing, and the power of never giving up.]]>2103cancer,compassion,courage,faith,grief,healing,infertility,lifestyle,resiliencefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/from-caregiver-to-conqueror-lori-s-story-through-trauma-addiction-and-rebirth--68641961In this episode of Affairs of the Heart, Lori shares her story of being raised as an only child in the shadow of her mother's mental illness, her own battle with addiction, and her road to sobriety.  Today she is thriving as the owner of a flourishing nail salon in Salt Lake City. Join us for our raw conversation about how she made it through the difficult times in her life and found peace, freedom, and love.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68641961Wed, 19 Nov 2025 16:27:00 +0000Maria Groten and Amber SimpsonIn this episode of Affairs of the Heart, Lori shares her story of being raised as an only child in the shadow of her mother's mental illness, her own battle with addiction, and her road to sobriety.  Today she is thriving as the owner of a flourishing...In this episode of Affairs of the Heart, Lori shares her story of being raised as an only child in the shadow of her mother's mental illness, her own battle with addiction, and her road to sobriety.  Today she is thriving as the owner of a flourishing nail salon in Salt Lake City. Join us for our raw conversation about how she made it through the difficult times in her life and found peace, freedom, and love.]]>2561addiction,child,freedom,illness,lifestyle,love,mental,only,peace,sobriety,successfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/from-excommunication-to-exuberance-dr-nicholas-howland-s-journey-through-faith-trauma-and-triumph--68434319In this episode of Affairs of the Heart, Dr. Nicholas Howland opens up about the raw chapters of his life that inspired his new book, "The Atheist's Prayer: A Memoir of Gratitude".  We delve into the pain of being excommunicated from the LDS Church-not once, but twice- and the aftermath of traumatic car accidents that tested his very survival.  Today, Dr. Howlands stands as a celebrated plastic surgeon.  Join us for an unfiltered conversation on redemption, healing, and the beauty of second chances.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68434319Wed, 05 Nov 2025 16:23:06 +0000Maria Groten and Amber SimpsonIn this episode of Affairs of the Heart, Dr. Nicholas Howland opens up about the raw chapters of his life that inspired his new book, "The Atheist's Prayer: A Memoir of Gratitude".  We delve into the pain of being excommunicated from the LDS...In this episode of Affairs of the Heart, Dr. Nicholas Howland opens up about the raw chapters of his life that inspired his new book, "The Atheist's Prayer: A Memoir of Gratitude".  We delve into the pain of being excommunicated from the LDS Church-not once, but twice- and the aftermath of traumatic car accidents that tested his very survival.  Today, Dr. Howlands stands as a celebrated plastic surgeon.  Join us for an unfiltered conversation on redemption, healing, and the beauty of second chances.]]>3072atheist,author,book,chances,church,doctor,excommunicated,healing,heart,lds,lifestyle,mormon,prayer,redemption,second,surgeonfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/journeys-of-faith-and-family--68241503https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68241503Wed, 22 Oct 2025 15:19:22 +0000Maria Groten and Amber SimpsonIn this episode, we're talking about Angie's decision to leave the LDS Church in her 40s, the joys and challenges of raising five incredible children- including her adopted African-American twin girls- in a predominantly white, LDS community, and the...1913adoption,affairs,children,community,faith,family,friends,heart,identity,joy,kids,lds,life,living,love,loving,practical,raising,story,workfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/catching-up-with-amber-and-maria--68064035https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68064035Wed, 08 Oct 2025 15:08:52 +0000Maria Groten and Amber SimpsonAmber and Maria have been traveling a bunch and just got back on the podcasting couch.  Catch up with their coming and goings, friends and family, and food for thought... from lobster in Maine to street food in Seoul to fondue in the Alps, and finally...2282adventures,courage,families,family,friends,friendship,fun,heart,kids,life,love,maine,marriage,partners,seoul,strength,travel,traveling,utah,vacationsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/katy-sine-a-masterclass-in-self-love-service-soulful-living--67879034https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67879034Wed, 24 Sep 2025 15:46:58 +0000Maria Groten and Amber SimpsonKaty Sine is more than the Emmy-winning host of Taste Utah - she's a fierce advocate for self-love, healing, and community.  In this inspiring episode, she shares how loving yourself can change everything.1412advocate,change,children,community,cooking,family,food,friends,heal,healing,heart,inspiring,kids,life,love,loving,podcast,self-love,taste,utahfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ruel-thomas-on-music-loss-and-resilience--67704496https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67704496Wed, 10 Sep 2025 15:45:05 +0000Maria Groten and Amber SimpsonAt 30, Ruel is living his dream as a full-time musician in Austin, Texas.  But behind the music is a story of childhood loss, resilience, and a recent cancer diagnosis.  This is his most personal performance yet- his own story.2326austin,cancer,care,career,childhood,children,dream,family,health,heart,kids,loss,love,music,musician,passion,personal,pursuit,resilience,storyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/going-places-on-a-stationary-bike-mike-dan-s-journey--67532555https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67532555Wed, 27 Aug 2025 17:09:08 +0000Maria Groten and Amber SimpsonMeet the duo behind Torrent Cycle and Tenet Café, a grounded and growing fitness community in Salt Lake City. Mike and Dan are partners in life and in business, and their successes in one reinforces success in the other. Their whole is truly greater...2500business,career,community,entrepreneur,faith,family,fitness,founders,friends,heart,life,love,marriage,owners,partners,people,power,relationships,spin,successfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/from-the-field-to-the-mind-bridger-s-unconventional-path-to-healing--67357015https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67357015Wed, 13 Aug 2025 15:11:11 +0000Maria Groten and Amber SimpsonFrom college football to psychiatry, Bridger's journey is anything but ordinary.  He shares why he walked away from surgery, how he treats his patients with heart and humanity, and why he believes healing starts before the prescription.2704affairs,athlete,care,doctor,family,football,friends,heal,healing,heart,help,journey,love,loving,medicine,ordinary,prescription,psychiatry,pyschology,surgeryfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/love-again-second-chances-and-staying-the-course--67190273https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67190273Wed, 30 Jul 2025 15:22:20 +0000Maria Groten and Amber SimpsonIn this candid and uplifting episode, Amber and Maria are joined by their husbands for a conversation about love the second time around. Together, they open up about what it means to rebuild trust, show up through the hard seasons, and choose each...2691beauty,belief,choose,divorce,faith,family,foundation,friends,heart,heartfelt,heartful,love,loving,marriage,rebuild,resilience,trust,uplift,uplifting,weddingsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/holding-on-letting-go-a-conversation-with-joseph-and-laura-lee-kozusko--66998201
To read Joseph in his own words go to https://www.caringbridge.org/site/2723b097-9c87-11ef-b55d-6fe004f3e196]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66998201Wed, 16 Jul 2025 15:00:35 +0000Maria Groten and Amber SimpsonIn this intimate episode of Affairs of the Heart, Amber and Maria sit down with Joseph and his wife Laura Lee as they share the raw, beautiful truths of living through the final days of life.  With grace, love, and surprising moments of lightness,...
To read Joseph in his own words go to https://www.caringbridge.org/site/2723b097-9c87-11ef-b55d-6fe004f3e196]]>2536beauty,cancer,caring,connection,death,enduring,families,family,goodbye,grace,heart,life,loss,love,loving,marriage,strength,truth,virtue,wifefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/from-hello-to-heart-level-in-no-time--66811670https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66811670Wed, 02 Jul 2025 15:03:59 +0000Maria Groten and Amber SimpsonIn the premiere episode of Affairs of the Heart, Amber and Maria invite you into the story of their unexpected and soul-nourishing friendship. What started as a new connection quickly turned into something that felt like it had always been there.  In...2519beauty,connection,families,family,feeling,friends,friendship,heart,heartful,life,listening,love,loving,nourishing,people,soul,stories,talk,thoughtful,understandingfalsefull