David Magee

David Magee is a bestselling author, national speaker, and film producer whose work explores addiction, recovery, and the well-being of students and families.

Addiction nearly broke his family and took the life of his oldest son, William. Through his books, David writes candidly about what followed: learning to listen, accepting help, discovering God's grace, and building a closeness his family had never known.

His memoir Dear William: A Father's Story of Addiction, Recovery, Love, and Loss sparked a movement that expanded his work in opioid abatement and community mental health. It also led to the William Magee Center for AOD and Wellness Education and the William Magee Institute for Student Wellbeing at the University of Mississippi, both of which he helped establish. Dear William is now the basis of a feature film directed by Andrew Hyatt, with David serving as a producer.

His next book, Walk With Me: A Father and Son Find Their Way Together, will be published May 4, 2027. It tells how David and his son Hudson found recovery together, and how the son became the teacher.

David is founder and CEO of The Magee Foundation, which uses storytelling, education, and community programs to help students and families, and to reduce the stigma surrounding addiction and mental illness. He speaks at schools, universities, healthcare systems, churches, and corporations across the country.

A former newspaper publisher, media company president, and national cable television host, David lives in Oxford, Mississippi, with his wife, Kent, who teaches yoga for addiction recovery.

He speaks to audiences nationwide — schools, universities, healthcare systems, churches, corporations — about building lives and communities worth living in.

Previously, David was a daily newspaper publisher, a media company president, a small business owner, and a regular CNBC guest. He and his wife Kent, a yoga for addiction teacher, live in Oxford, Mississippi.