Legacy

In this episode, I sit down with Caitlin Morrison, Executive Director of the Matthew Perry House, to talk about the experience of loving someone through the illness of addiction — and what it means to carry that experience forward after loss.There’s a version of this story we don’t talk about very often.The one where someone you love spends years struggling, finally finds their way to recovery… and then is gone.Together, we explore what families often carry behind the scenes: the early signs that something isn’t quite right, the cycles of hope and disappointment, and the emotional weight of trying to support someone you can’t “fix.”This conversation also moves beyond the personal into something deeply hopeful — the work Caitlin is leading through the Matthew Perry House, a first-of-its-kind transitional housing initiative in Ottawa focused on long-term, community-based recovery. Grounded in the understanding of addiction as a medical illness, this model addresses a critical gap in care: what happens after treatment ends.This is a conversation about love, grief, understanding — and legacy.In this episode, we talk about:What families often notice before they have language for addictionThe cycles of hope, relapse, and emotional impact on loved onesThe limits of control — and what “support” can really look likeReframing addiction as an illness, not a failureRecovery, and the part we don’t often talk aboutThe vision behind the Matthew Perry House and long-term recovery supportAbout Caitlin:Caitlin Morrison is the Executive Director of the Matthew Perry House, carrying forward her brother Matthew Perry’s legacy by advocating for long-term recovery support. With a deep commitment to breaking down stigma and improving access to resources, Caitlin has played a pivotal role in the development of the Matthew Perry House Ottawa, a first-of-its-kind transitional housing initiative.Learn more:🌐 https://matthewperryhouse.ca📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewperryhouse🎧 Follow, share, and help these conversations reach more people.Host/Producer/Writer/Director: Jenn St JohnEditor: Andrew SchillerWebsite: www.jennstjohn.caFollow along:Instagram: @jenn_stjohnLinkedIn: Jenn St JohnIf this episode spoke to you, share it with someone who might need to hear it too.Subscribe, leave a review, or just send a little love—your support helps these conversations reach the people who need them most.