Kelly Corrigan Wonders

Welcome to the Kelly Corrigan Wonders “Life Worth Living” Book Club. This is the opening episode, where Kelly and the authors dig into the key questions driving this series: what’s worth doing, who are we responsible to, how should life feel, how should we deal with failures, and what can keep our values and our behavior aligned? Share this with the readers and thinkers in your life. The more people having this conversation, the better for all of us. Based on Life Worth Living: A Guide to What Matters Most from authors Miroslav Volf, Matthew Croasmun and Ryan McAnnally-Linz. Visit lifeworthliving.com/kelly to access a study guide to help you work through the book. Special thanks to the Warren Smoot Carter III and Meagan Carter Charitable Fund. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Keith Romano wrote and delivered this eulogy for his father Patrick Romano, a lover of sports who believed that teamwork was always more important than talent. Keith honors his father’s uncompromising values and beliefs, his sense of humor and the example he set for his family…illustrated by the “no look pass” something Patrick always felt was the perfect intersection of teamwork, skill and grace. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Very specific ideas for participating in great conversation wherever you go. This one is meant to help us all live as learners and connectors, not teachers, performers, takers. Because charity counts for more than cleverness. Everything you need to know to join the book club is here. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do understanding and approval factor into kindness? Are we only nice to the people we "get"? How can we change the way we think about who is deserving of love, respect and kindness? (hint: it's everyone). Carvell Wallace has thoughts on all of this and more. He's a writer, a thinker and a creative who has written powerful profiles of artists, actors, activists and is also the curious mind behind the podcast Finding Fred, about Mr. Rogers. If you enjoy this conversation, make sure to check out Episode #4: Trust your Gut? with Annie Jean Baptiste. Please subscribe, rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts! We read and appreciate every review. You can follow the conversation with Kelly on Instagram @kellycorrigan. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex Mallonee wrote this meaningful essay: “Things I Learned From My Mother Through the Art We Made Together”. It’s a look at Alex’s beautiful relationship with his incredible mom Joyce, her 25-year cancer journey and the art project they created together called “Deconstruction”. Joyce’s creativity, desire to collaborate, love and sense of humor fueled the project but more importantly, showed Alex how to live well. You can experience the “Deconstruction” Virtual Art Show here: https://deconstructionart.live/ If you would like to support the project, you can do so here: https://deconstructionartshow.wedid.it/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Could a single comment from a teacher or a classmate in our youth redefine how we see ourselves and the world forever? Master storyteller Michael Lewis, in a funny excerpt from his conversation with Kelly for PBS’ Tell Me More, makes the case that indeed it could. (Bonus content not included in the previously aired Michael Lewis podcast interview.) Thank you to PBS. This interview can be viewed in its entirety anytime at: pbs.org/kelly To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People say “Stay in your lane” but I don’t buy it. I like people who care about a lot of things, not just winning another NBA championship (I see you Steve Kerr, eyeing #9) or making another world class docu-series (I see you W Kamau Bell, with your devastating Cosby series). I like people who dare to say unpopular things into microphones because they have a platform and they feel compelled to use it. This is an episode with two of my favorite people — Warriors coach Steve Kerr and comedian, producer and director W. Kamau Bell — talking about what they do beyond what they do, if you get my drift. (Replay of Ep 74, which originally aired on 2/8/22) To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At this time of year, we are knee-deep in sports: college lacrosse, the NBA play-offs and all the golf majors. Where there are sports, there are adjectives describing the athletes and where there are sports championships, those adjectives are garish and piled-high. Kelly wonders if maybe it’s time to use those dazzling descriptors to honor not the elite athletes out there but the army of regular, everyday, hard-working moms. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With thanks to listeners who shared stories about their mothers for this special episode, everyone here at Kelly Corrigan Wonders wishes you a Happy Mother’s Day. Produced by Charlie Upchurch. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You might know bits and pieces of Jewel’s story. Homeless girl hitchhiking into the lower 48 from Alaska. Making music. Being robbed by her mother. What you might not know is how deeply and wisely she thinks about anxiety. This is one to share with every person you love who is sometimes gripped by panic. Please note that this episode references alcoholism, abuse and suicide. Special thanks to the Lafayette Library and Learning Center in Lafayette, CA. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A letter to my children about giving up and when it’s just fine to walk. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode of Thanks For Being Here began with a voice message left by listener Jennifer Drohan. Jenn explained that while she enjoyed the Live From College series, as the mother of two older children with autism, she found it somewhat painful to listen to…her children will not be going to college. Kelly asked Jenn if she would like to write something we could share and the result was this moving, illuminating and important essay called, “Forever Parents”. Jenn shines a light on the differences parents face in preparing their children for adulthood. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sometimes, even when things go precisely as you hoped they would, change hurts. Kelly was a guest on a podcast called A Slight Change of Plans, hosted by Dr. Maya Shankar, who was curious to know how empty nesting was going. The conversation was so rich that it felt worth sharing here. This one is for every parent you know. Pass it on. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Please note that this episode references addiction and suicide. Teri Rose wrote this loving remembrance of her son Ryland. Ryland was a light in this world who struggled with anxiety, depression and addiction. As Teri said, “He didn’t have a drug problem, he had a life problem. He was saddled with depression and anxiety, which led to his trying to make himself feel better and reduce the noise in his head.” This beautiful eulogy helps to paint the full picture of Ryland: a unique combination of funny, stubborn, difficult and smart. Ryland shined brightly - especially in the darkest places. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For a special listener who was just diagnosed, here are some thoughts on the stages of recovery that I encourage you to share with every last person you know who is in treatment for anything. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kelly’s guest is actress and author Constance Wu - you may know her from her roles in the breakthrough tv show Fresh Off the Boat and the blockbuster film Crazy, Rich Asians. Constance shares her experiences as an actress in Hollywood both on and off screen: the privilege and responsibility of representation, being a true artist, navigating social media and an incident which took her to a very dark place. Special thanks to PBS for supporting Tell Me More and this podcast series. You can watch this episode of Tell Me More anytime at pbs.org/kelly. Thank you also to the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mary Hope wrote this thoughtful, open-hearted letter to her community to introduce her son Alex - who had previously been known to all as Jenna, her daughter. Kelly Corrigan Wonders listeners will be familiar with Alex’s story as we shared it in the episode “A Mother Son Story of the Ultimate Transition” and it was also replayed it in the For the Good of the Order feed. Today, we’re sharing this letter which Mary Hope wrote to officially introduce Alex because we find the kindness, transparency and unconditional love in it to be so inspiring. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kelly shares her own “go to” mantra as well as two blessings from frequent Kelly Corrigan Wonders guest Kate Bowler and her co-author/friend/podcast producer Jessica Richie’s beautiful and extremely useful book: The Lives We Actually Have (100 Blessings for Imperfect Days). The book is full of warm and witty blessings found within the struggles of our shared humanity, from the New York Times bestselling authors of Good Enough. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No one understands what makes a character sing better than Michael Lewis. The Big Short, Moneyball, Liar’s Poker, these stories stand for whole industries because Michael Lewis puts just the right protagonist in the center. He is also the father to three great characters, including Dixie, who was killed in a head on collision in May of 2021. This is one of the most moving and important conversations we’ve ever shared and we thank PBS for supporting this work as well as the Lafayette Library and Learning Center for hosting the shoot. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Barbara Michelman wrote this love letter to her mother Dorthea after she died at 89. Barbara said, “My mom was not one for public displays of emotion, she would have hated me crying at her own service. So, I didn’t read this at her funeral. Instead I stood in front of my church family and cried while reading it.” Barbara’s letter is a beautiful tribute to her hard-working, no-fuss mom who had grit and love to spare. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the nicest things that has happened to me in my professional life is crossing paths with Michael Lewis. I think he is the best storyteller in America and our handful of collaborations have been spectacular experiences for me. Next week you’ll hear a long interview him. Today, in anticipation of that conversation, I wanted to share a piece about grief and the way the mind seeks certainty and story. Please share with anyone you know who is wrestling with loss. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Once upon a time there was a girl who got pink-eye and went to the Met. Author and podcaster Gretchen Rubin (The Happiness Project, Happier with Gretchen Rubin) joins Kelly to talk about how a visit to her eye doctor inspired her to start engaging with her five senses like never before. Gretchen’s intriguing new book Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me out of my Head and Into the World is available 4/18/23. Special thanks to Dean Kattari for the wonderful new show open/theme music debuting in today’s episode. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As families gather in homes across the country and around the world this week for Passover and Easter, we thought it would be nice to share this heartfelt eulogy Katie Dahm wrote for her childhood home: 8107 Warren Avenue. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There’s a new book out - LIFE WORTH LIVING - that I have been loving (and relying on) since I got an early copy six months ago. I think it might be my go to guide to how to think about what’s worth doing. it’s based on the very popular Yale class of the same name. So I rallied some Yalies — Claire Danes and Kate Bowler — to read it and walk through the major questions with me in a 5-part pod series that starts right after Memorial Day. You can follow along even if you haven’t read the book but honestly, I can’t think of a better way to immerse yourself in the big questions every thinking person wrestles with over the course of a lifetime. Today’s GOTO is a few compelling passages to get your wheels turning. Please share with your book club. It’s a perfect read-along. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Need a bounce in your step? Click play. You will spend the better part of an hour with two young people who are coming into their power just as we need them most. JerDrema (Dreme) Flynt is a Fulbright Scholar and tech entrepreneur. Will McQuiston is well on his way to a degree from Harvard after a harrowing childhood in Prattville, Alabama. In a sea of gnarly headlines and a culture of name calling and blame gaming, these Gen Z superstars soothed our nervous systems and made us more ready to participate in the great correction. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joy Netanya Thompson submitted this moving eulogy for her paternal grandmother Zelda, a Holocaust survivor who endured so much and yet threw her arms open to life. Zelda danced at every opportunity and basked in the presence of her grandchildren like they were sunshine. Replay of Episode #27 which originally aired on August 14, 2022. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This GOTO is a replay of Kelly Corrigan Wonders Ep 18, “A Mother and Son Story of the Ultimate Transition”, which originally aired in January 2021. We’re sharing it again today in celebration of International Transgender Day of Visibility and to honor Alex and his mom. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Everyone loves a list. Everyone needs a way to cut through all the noise and move forward with expert guidance. That’s what today’s episode is all about. For those who are making the big investment in college, here are the tips for how to make the best of it from two people who know: Katie Gayman, who has worked in the field of college counseling for 13 years and Dr. Angel Perez, CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling. Share this episode widely so that everyone can get the most out of their time on campus. Special thanks to the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations for supporting this series. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As many of our listeners know, Kelly has a dear cousin, Kathy, who turns up, one way or another, in all of Kelly’s books. Kathy and her husband Tony have three children. Their oldest, Aaron was killed in a car accident 20 summers ago, just after his freshman year in college. Tomorrow, March 28, 2023 would have been his 40th birthday. To mark the moment, Aaron’s sister Lena shared a short, unforgettable piece about remembering. Posted with love to Kath, Tony Z, Lena and Mags. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pallie Savoie’s sister Laurel was always her role model. Although their relationship went through different phases over the course of their lives, they’re now not just two sisters who love and care for one another…they’re the closest of friends. This is an episode for anyone who has ever looked up to an older sister or brother. Please share widely, whether you’re close with your sibling(s) - or you want to be. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We could easily slip into a reality where everything about us is reflected back in numbers. Our weight. Our steps. Our likes. Our follows and bank accounts and the square footage of our homes. But that’s not who we are. Here’s a reminder for all of us and everyone we love to turn away from “The Great Quantification”. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is possible when you put thousands of superstar women on one campus and tell them the world is theirs? Spelman College is teeming with students who are in it to win it and lucky to have the steady guidance of Dean Desiree Pedescleaux. Dean P, on campus for over two decades now, helps each crop of students unpack the Constitution in all its glory and limitation. She is beloved and it’s easy to see why. Also in this episode: several students who Kelly and Tammy wanted to hire immediately. Special thanks to The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations for supporting this series. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Heather O’Shea submitted this lovely eulogy, written by her sister Colleen, for their dad Mike “Mick” O’Shea. The father of five daughters, Mike is remembered as a loving family man, the life of the party and someone who always found a way to bring people together. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

JUST HIT PLAY. These women are such a thrill to listen to. Three Spelman superstars share their energy and dreams… To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you see the world and how much of that is based on lived experiences? How much comes from your education (formal and informal)? When was the last time you came to a new insight or position without being exposed to something new? This is a conversation with UCSD philosophy professor Manuel Vargas that might shake up your point of view on blame, determinism, midlife crises and what sets the table for cooperation. Special thanks to The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations for supporting this series. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meghan Jarvis’ beautiful story of what happened as she holed herself up in a friend’s home to write her mother’s eulogy. This is for anyone who has written a eulogy and knows what an emotionally fraught yet transformative time it can be. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With a special nod to every high school senior hearing back from colleges right about now, here are a few thoughts I share every chance I get about how to respond to news of all types. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There’s so many people who claim to be experts about family life. Dr. Lisa Damour is the real deal. This is one of the most useful conversations I have ever had on the podcast. Listen. Share. Listen again. It’s loaded with gems. Check out Lisa’s new book: The Emotional Lives of Teenagers - Raising Connected, Capable and Compassionate Adolescents. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kerry Mossler shares a funny memory that stands out for both her and her mom. It’s often the simplest moments, that create the most cherished memories. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Lisa Damour is one of my most trusted parenting advisors. She is careful and understanding, sincere and informed. Here’s a snippet of our conversation about teenagers, moods and medication. Join us on Tuesday for a longer interview about her new book, The Emotional Lives of Teenagers - Raising Connected, Capable and Compassionate Adolescents. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

67 million of us are estranged from a family member. 85% of us are in regular conflict at work. The country is split on every issue from masks to education, health care to policing. Kelly asks journalist and bestselling author of High Conflict, Amanda Ripley where we go from here. This episode is a replay of Ep #37 which originally aired on May 25, 2021. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A short but powerful story by Susie DeCarlo about her mother but also about herself. Often, the way our parents see us is the way we come to see ourselves and Susie’s mom saw her in the very best way: strong, unbreakable, thriving. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While forcing ourselves to exercise at the gym, it can be all too easy to look around and judge others. Maybe it makes us feel a bit better in the moment regarding how we look, how in shape we are (or aren’t) and what we’re wearing…maybe it’s time to stop. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tiffany Lin is an award-winning professor at Tulane and it’s obvious why. She brings her whole self to every class, teaching the kind of empathic thinking that all good design reflects. Her passion for intellectual growth is contagious and we left campus inspired. Special thanks to The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations for supporting this series. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Allison Hassett Wohl wrote this toast to honor and celebrate her step-son Jake and his new wife Allison on their wedding day. One of the things that drew Jake and Allison together was their shared commitment to honoring the dignity of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The world is a better place because of their love, kindness and commitment and the way that they engage with the world every day. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Every Friday, we share something good and true about the world, something to get your head right as you finish another week and head into some downtime. Inspiration comes from all manner of places, this week a New York Times article about a guy who quietly made life a little easier for the people in his town. The New York Times article Kelly references was written by Emily Schmall and was published January 25, 2023. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The most popular class at The University of Washington is Psych 210: The Diversity of Human Sexuality. Kelly sits down with the professor, Dr. Nicole McNichols to find out what’s on the curriculum. You can find Dr. Nicole McNichols on Instagram @nicole_thesexprofessor Note: Graphic discussion of sexuality with a psychologist and sex educator. Additional discussion of suicide and eating disorders. Special thanks to The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations for supporting this series. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As a 7 year-old, all Andrea Wetzel wanted was a home-made butterfly costume with glitter wings for Halloween. Her loving and busy single mom did her very best and yet, it wasn’t quite what Andrea had hoped for. This delightful story is a reminder that you “have to be able to laugh things off…you just have to”. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

6 young women, huddled around a coffee table in an off campus apartment in Seattle, answer Kelly’s questions about eating, sex, drugs, depression and social media. Please share. Note: Graphic discussion of potential trigger issues - eating, sexuality, drug use, depression, body image. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If we traded college for job training, what would be lost? Why are so many CEOs philosophy majors? What kind of conversations and connections become possible when we insist on core curriculum classes? We’re kicking off the spring semester of Live From College in which Kelly and Tammy road trip to campuses across the country asking What’s the point of a liberal arts education in 2023? Special thanks to The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations for supporting this series. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices