In this webinar, we will introduce the qualitative research and dissemination approach of the Health Experiences Research Network (HERN). We will demonstrate the potential for HERN methodology to complement epidemiological and health services data to better understand and address critical chronic health issues. We will describe who makes up the network and what HERN does, and the power of being a part of a global movement in a shared approach to qualitative health research. Examples of video and audio extracts of lived experiences from a recent study of medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder are utilized to demonstrate insights from this research approach. We will explore how this rigorous qualitative research method that centers narrative accounts can be leveraged to inform the public, and create effective health systems, clinical training and policy interventions.