Affairs Of The Heart

Maria Groten and Amber Simpson
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Relationships
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome 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 heartbreak to healing, loss to laughter, we're here to listen, learn, and grow together. This is more than just a podcast — it's a space for real talk, real friendship, and the beautiful messiness of being human. Music by Ruel Thomas. Check him out at ruelmusic.com

Episodes

  1. 12/17/2025

    A Story of Survival, Sisterhood, and Motherhood

    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.

    35 min

  2. 11/19/2025

    From Caregiver to Conqueror: Lori's Story through Trauma, Addiction, and Rebirth

    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.

    43 min

  3. 11/05/2025

    From Excommunication to Exuberance: Dr. Nicholas Howland's Journey Through Faith, Trauma, and Triumph

    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.

    51 min

  4. 10/22/2025

    Journeys of Faith and Family

    In 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 practical and emotional work of redefining faith, family, and identity.  Angie's story is full of faith and love.

    32 min

  5. 10/08/2025

    Catching up with Amber and Maria

    Amber 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 back to home cooking.

    38 min

  6. 09/24/2025

    Katy Sine: A Masterclass in Self-Love, Service, & Soulful Living

    Katy 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.

    24 min

  7. 09/10/2025

    Ruel Thomas on Music, Loss, and Resilience

    At 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.

    39 min

  8. 08/27/2025

    Going Places on a Stationary Bike: Mike & Dan's Journey

    Meet 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 than the sum of their parts. In this heartfelt conversation, they share how they went from careers in NYC to becoming beloved business owners in Salt Lake City. Along the way, they talk about love, faith, entrepreneurship, and the power of building community, one spin class and one smoothie at a time.

    42 min

  9. 08/13/2025

    From the Field to the Mind: Bridger's Unconventional Path to Healing

    From 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.

    45 min

  10. 07/30/2025

    Love, Again - Second Chances and Staying the Course

    In 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 other- again and again.  It's a heartfelt look at marriage, resilience, and the unexpected beauty of staying the course.

    45 min

  11. 07/16/2025

    Holding On, Letting Go - A Conversation with Joseph and Laura Lee Kozusko

    In 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, they talk about what really matters, what they're learning in letting go, and how love endures-even in the goodbye. To read Joseph in his own words go to https://www.caringbridge.org/site/2723b097-9c87-11ef-b55d-6fe004f3e196

    42 min

  12. 07/02/2025

    From Hello to Heart-Level In No Time

    In 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 this honest and heartfelt conversation, they share why they felt called to create this podcast- a space for real talk, deep listening, and the kind of connection that reminds us we're never alone.

    42 min
  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Welcome 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 heartbreak to healing, loss to laughter, we're here to listen, learn, and grow together. This is more than just a podcast — it's a space for real talk, real friendship, and the beautiful messiness of being human. Music by Ruel Thomas. Check him out at ruelmusic.com

Information

  • Creator
    Maria Groten and Amber Simpson
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Maria Groten and Amber Simpson
  • Show Website
    Affairs Of The Heart