When Matthew Fortune flatlined for 45 minutes, he didn’t see a tunnel or meet a divine being—he experienced nothingness. But coming back to life forced him to confront everything. In this unflinching and ultimately redemptive episode, Matthew shares his long and painful battle with addiction and homelessness. From growing up in a strict Christian household to surviving a fentanyl overdose and then rebuilding his life through faith, service, and hard-won responsibility, Matthew’s story challenges assumptions about recovery and the human capacity for change. 

Story Producer: Brent Dey

Resources for opioid and other harm reduction:

Georgia Overdose Prevention: https://georgiaoverdoseprevention.org/

National Opioid Action Coalition: https://www.noac.org/

National Harm Reduction Coalition: https://harmreduction.org/

If you’d like to learn more, get involved, or support those experiencing homelessness, here are some trusted organizations and resources that can help:

National Organizations (U.S.)
National Alliance to End Homelessness — endhomelessness.org
Advocacy, research, and policy work to end homelessness. Great starting point for understanding the issue and supporting systemic change.


National Coalition for the Homeless — nationalhomeless.org
Education, advocacy, and grassroots organizing around homelessness and housing rights.


National Low Income Housing Coalition — nlihc.org
Focused on expanding affordable housing and influencing housing policy nationwide.

Direct Support & Volunteering
The Salvation Army – Homeless Services — salvationarmyusa.org
Provides shelters, transitional housing, and food assistance.


Habitat for Humanity — habitat.org
Volunteer opportunities to help build affordable housing in local communities.


Feeding America — feedingamerica.org
Helps reduce food insecurity, often a major factor in preventing homelessness.

* If you have a transformative near-death experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com 

When Matthew Fortune flatlined for 45 minutes, he didn&rsquo;t see a tunnel or meet a divine being&mdash;he experienced nothingness. But coming back to life forced him to confront everything. In this unflinching and ultimately redemptive episode, Matthew shares his long and painful battle with addiction and homelessness. From growing up in a strict Christian household to surviving a fentanyl overdose and then rebuilding his life through faith, service, and hard-won responsibility, Matthew&rsquo;s story challenges assumptions about recovery and the human capacity for change.&nbsp;
Story Producer: Brent Dey
Resources for opioid and other harm reduction:
Georgia Overdose Prevention: <a href="https://georgiaoverdoseprevention.org/">https://georgiaoverdoseprevention.org/</a>
National Opioid Action Coalition: <a href="https://www.noac.org/">https://www.noac.org/</a>
National Harm Reduction Coalition: <a href="https://harmreduction.org/">https://harmreduction.org/</a>
If you&rsquo;d like to learn more, get involved, or support those experiencing homelessness, here are some trusted organizations and resources that can help:
National Organizations (U.S.)
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">National Alliance to End Homelessness &mdash; endhomelessness.org Advocacy, research, and policy work to end homelessness. Great starting point for understanding the issue and supporting systemic change. </li>
<li aria-level="1">National Coalition for the Homeless &mdash; nationalhomeless.org Education, advocacy, and grassroots organizing around homelessness and housing rights. </li>
<li aria-level="1">National Low Income Housing Coalition &mdash; nlihc.org Focused on expanding affordable housing and influencing housing policy nationwide.</li>
</ul>
Direct Support &amp; Volunteering
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The Salvation Army &ndash; Homeless Services &mdash; salvationarmyusa.org Provides shelters, transitional housing, and food assistance. </li>
<li aria-level="1">Habitat for Humanity &mdash; habitat.org Volunteer opportunities to help build affordable housing in local communities. </li>
<li aria-level="1">Feeding America &mdash; feedingamerica.org Helps reduce food insecurity, often a major factor in preventing homelessness.</li>
</ul>
* If you have a transformative near-death experience to share, we&rsquo;d love to hear your story. Please email us at <a href="mailto:aliveagainproject@gmail.com">aliveagainproject@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;

That which doesn’t kill us…

Hosted by award-winning filmmaker Dan Bush, Alive Again is a weekly series featuring extraordinary stories from people who faced death—and came back changed. From near-death experiences to near-fatal accidents and moments of profound crisis, each episode dives into the transformation that happens on the other side of survival.

Told in their own words, these first-hand accounts explore not just what happened in the moment, but how everything changed after: perspectives, priorities, purpose. Some stories are miraculous. Others are brutal. All of them are unforgettable.

Our mission is to find, explore, and share these stories to remind us all of our shared human condition.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you don’t die– this show is for you.

* If you have a transformative near-death experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at aliveagainproject@gmail.com

That which doesn&rsquo;t kill us&hellip;
Hosted by award-winning filmmaker Dan Bush, Alive Again is a weekly series featuring extraordinary stories from people who faced death&mdash;and came back changed. From near-death experiences to near-fatal accidents and moments of profound crisis, each episode dives into the transformation that happens on the other side of survival.
Told in their own words, these first-hand accounts explore not just what happened in the moment, but how everything changed after: perspectives, priorities, purpose. Some stories are miraculous. Others are brutal. All of them are unforgettable.
Our mission is to find, explore, and share these stories to remind us all of our shared human condition.
If you&rsquo;ve ever wondered what happens when you don&rsquo;t die&ndash; this show is for you.
* If you have a transformative near-death experience to share, we&rsquo;d love to hear your story. Please email us at <a href="mailto:aliveagainproject@gmail.com">aliveagainproject@gmail.com</a>

Alive Again

21 | A Better Person Than I Was The Day Before

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d50943c5-52b9-47ed-afcf-b353011952e9/transcript

Advertisement