Lara Love Hardin: Climbing Back From a Heroin Addiction Was It Chance?

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.
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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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