RR 235: Lamar Odom's Ex Liza Morales talks Addiction, Recovery and FamilyRR 235: Lamar Odom's Ex Liza Morales talks Addiction, Recovery and Family
The SHAIR Recovery Podcast
Liza Morales shares her side of life with Lamar Odom, from young love and sudden loss to addiction, depression and co-parenting in the public eye. She talks about therapy, spirituality and education as crucial tools in rebuilding herself and supporting her children through their father’s struggles.
1:35:16•13 Aug 2019
Liza Morales on Loving an Addict, Grief, and Choosing Her Own Healing
Episode Overview
- Therapy and honest conversations with professionals helped Liza recognise and treat her own depression after her son’s death.
- Choosing to stay in New York with family support, rather than return to Los Angeles, became a turning point for her mental health.
- Talking openly with her children about addiction and depression reduced shame and helped them understand their father’s struggles.
- Education through books, documentaries and speaking with rehab counsellors showed her that many families face similar battles.
- Liza now prioritises small daily practices like prayer, meditation and alone time as essential self-care while supporting her family.
“I’m still trying to figure that out, honestly, as far as happiness… I’m still trying to be the best mum, best daughter, best friend that I could be.”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This conversation between host Omar Pinto and guest Liza Morales gives a raw, family-focused view from the partner’s side of addiction. Liza, a New York–based mum and real estate professional, talks candidly about her decade-long relationship with former NBA player Lamar Odom, from high-school sweethearts in Queens to life in penthouses, entourages and endless road trips.
While the headlines have always centred on Lamar, this time you’ll hear what it was like for the woman holding the home together while drugs, fame and infidelity chipped away at their family. She shares how grief over the sudden loss of their baby son Jayden pushed them in opposite directions: “I leaned on my spirituality… Lamar leaned on drugs.
Lamar leaned on distractions.” That split pushed her to stay in New York, seek therapy, and later support her children through their own struggles with depression and media scrutiny. You’ll hear Liza talk about breaking generational patterns from her own “broken home”, why she fought for years to keep the family intact, and the moment she realised she had to choose her mental health over following Lamar back to Los Angeles.
She stresses how vital therapy and education have been for her and the kids, from talking to specialists and rehab counsellors to watching documentaries and learning they’re “not alone”. There’s also hope: Liza explains how she and Lamar are now cordial, co-parenting as a team, and preparing, along with their daughter Destiny, to start sharing their story on stage.
Her honesty about happiness sums it up: “I’m still trying to figure that out, honestly… I’m still trying to learn about myself.” If you’re a partner or parent affected by addiction, what small step could you take today to put your own oxygen mask on first?
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