The Oprah Winfrey Show: The Podcast

From June 12, 2000: Oprah's lifestyle makeover experts help viewers who are feeling overwhelmed and empty take the first steps toward living their best life. We hear from a guest who was exhausted and wrote a poem which awakened her spirit.

From November 25, 2003: Oprah sits down with Jacqueline Saburido, a young woman who was burned alive by a drunk driver and lived to tell the story. Jacqui passed away in 2019. We then hear the story of a man who forgetfully left his baby in his car alone for three hours to discover he passed away due to heat stroke. We learn how our momentary mistakes can lead to devastating consequences.

From November 29, 2006: Dr. Oz sits down with Oprah to discuss his 10-day weight loss plan. The episode focuses on viewers who ask burning questions from their own weight loss journey. Dr. Oz provides thoughtful tips as well as easy to do recipes. He emphasizes the importance of making small changes in our daily diet that lead to the results we want to see.

From September 10, 1998: Financial planner Suze Orman sits down with Oprah to share tips on achieving financial success. She shares these steps from her book, Nine Steps To Financial Freedom. We hear from members of the audience who are deep in debt seeking advice. Oprah considers Suze to be one of the best financial advisers in the world because of her deep awareness that finances are connected to more than possessions, but to the way we think.

From December 4, 2007: Oprah sits down with author Elizabeth Gilbert to discuss her book Eat, Pray, Love, a New York Times bestseller that became a global phenomenon. Elizabeth shares her unique journey of self-discovery and breaking free from a seemingly perfect life that she realized she didn’t want. We learn that everyone you meet on a spiritual quest is sent to be a teacher. One of those teachers in Gilbert’s life was Richard, who she met in India. Richard joins the conversation to share the lessons he taught her. Elizabeth shares why she believes a shift in perspective leads to a life of true fulfillment.

From March 3, 2005: Oprah talks to Scott Peterson's half-sister, Anne Bird, about why she feels her brother is guilty of murder. Scott Peterson was the suspect in a very public case for the murder of his pregnant wife Laci and their unborn child in 2005. He was eventually sentenced to life in prison. Anne Bird gives her account of his marriage and his disturbing behavior. She shares when she realized her brother was capable of murder. Anne also discusses her book Blood Brother: 33 Reasons My Brother Scott Peterson Is Guilty.

From February 23, 1998: Oprah talks to James Van Praagh, television personality and author of the number one New York Times best seller Talking to Heaven. He discusses how he receives messages from the dead, explains how the bond of love doesn’t cease after death and shares his beliefs of how we all create our own Heaven. People who have lost loved ones also detail their experience after a session with James, with some remaining skeptical and others becoming believers.

From October 18, 2005: Oprah talks to former New York Jets football player Laveranues Coles, who shares the story of the sexual abuse he experienced as a child by his stepfather. Oprah also talks to his mother. Psychologist Dr. Robin Smith weighs in on how people can let go of the shame they feel about their pasts and move forward unshackled.

From April 1, 1997: Walter Cronkite and Katherine Graham sit down with Oprah recalling their careers reporting some of the biggest news stories. Oprah calls it a monumental mentor day hearing from two reporters she admires. Walter Cronkite speaks about his New York Times bestselling book, A Reporter's Life, where he shares his experiences covering some of the biggest news stories of his time from the assassination of John F. Kennedy, events of the civil rights movement and the first man to walk on the moon. Oprah also speaks with Katherine Graham about her book Personal History. She was the first woman to head a Fortune 500 company where she commanded Newsweek magazine, the Washington Post and television stations across the nation.

From February 18, 2005: Oprah travels to the North Carolina Maximum Security Prison and interviews a former minister convicted of killing his wife of 24 years. In the studio, she talks to Karen Fox, whose ex-husband, Michael, stabbed her more than 50 times and killed their two children, Lindsay and Jordan. Oprah also talks to Dr. Robi Ludwig, a psychotherapist and regular contributor to Court TV who has been researching spousal homicide for a book called, "Til Death Do Us Part: Love, Marriage, and Mind of the Killer Spouse."

From May 4, 2005: Actress Brooke Shields, author of Down Came The Rain, reveals for the first time her real-life nightmare and battle with postpartum depression. Brooke describes the resulting mental collapse after she gave birth to her daughter Rowan, and talks about using medication to treat her depression.

From September 27, 2004: Oprah interviews Amy Elizabeth Fisher known as "the Long Island Lolita". In 1992, at the age of 17, Amy shot and severely wounded Mary Jo Buttafuoco. At the time Amy was having an affair with Mary’s Jo’s husband, Joey Buttafuoco. Amy served seven years in prison. After staying out of the public eye she told her story in a book, Amy Fisher: If I Knew Then. Oprah feels there's a larger lesson in Amy's story: "The most important gift any parent can give their children, especially their daughters, is a sense of self-esteem. What happened to Amy doesn't happen to girls who have a sense of self-worth."

From October 9, 2000: Oprah talks about how toxic relationships affect your health and well-being. We all have toxic people in our lives. In this episode we learn the words to say to stand up to toxic friends and family. Guests share how to confront conflict with grace and love.

From January 18, 2007: Shawn Hornbeck and his family (his mother and stepfather, Pam and Craig Akers, and his aunt, Shari Frazier) sit down with Oprah for their first interview since Shaun's safe return four years after he was allegedly kidnapped. Oprah also talks to Gary Wagster and Chris Nelson, the police officers who followed a tip that led them to the home of Michael Devlin, where they found Ben Ownby and Shawn Hornbeck. She then sits down with both Don and Doris Ownby about their four-day ordeal and how they feel about their son, Ben, being the reason Shawn Hornbeck was found. FBI veteran Clint Van Zandt and author of Facing Down Evil speaks about how children returned to their families can overcome their trauma.

From June 17, 1993: Oprah speaks with Cynthia and David Dowaliby who were both put on trial for the murder of their 7-year-old daughter Jaclyn Dowaliby. The couple claimed that she was taken by an intruder. Cynthia was acquitted and David was found guilty and sentenced to 45 years in jail. A year after David's sentencing, his guilty verdict was overruled. Oprah interviews the couple to better understand this unsolved crime. We then hear from both Teri and Mark Lass, a couple who experienced the loss of their infant. Teri Lass was charged with first-degree murder after investigators collected substantial evidence tying her to the crime. However, Lee County jurors acquitted her after the criminal defense attorney raised reasonable doubt.

From September 30, 2008: Actress Christina Applegate opens up about her battle with cancer and her radical decision to remove both breasts. Oncologist, Dr. Philomena McAndrew, explains the breast cancer gene and provides treatment recommendations. Nancy Brinker, founder of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, talks about how the conversation around breast cancer has changed since her sister died. Other breast cancer survivors share their stories.

From November 14, 2006: Oprah talks with David Crespi, the suburban banker who murdered his twin daughters during a psychotic episode. She also sits with his wife Kim Crespi & Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Michael Welner to better understand depression and mental illness. We learn that what may start as a thought can lead to great devastation if ignored.

From November 2, 2006: Cardiothoracic surgeon, author and TV host Dr. Mehmet Oz and anesthesiologist, internist and author Dr. Michael Roizen discuss their #1 New York Times Bestseller, You: On A Diet. They share the four steps to losing weight, the emergency foods to always have on hand and the only four exercises you will ever need to do again. Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen also explain why you should focus on your waist size instead of your weight.

From February 22, 2011: At age seven, Chelsea Vosters was rescued from living in a dog cage in a dark and cold basement. Thirteen years later, Chelsea shares her memories of being in the cage, recalls the day she was rescued and returns to her childhood home. She also opens up about life after the rescue, the relationship with her family and raising her own son.

From May 13, 2011: Oprah looks back at some of her most memorable episodes and guests over 25 seasons of The Oprah Winfrey Show. Oprah shares the lessons she learned, several guests return with updates on their lives and viewers share how the show impacted their lives.

From May 24, 2007: Oprah talks to people in the public eye who are dealing with the effects of depression. Actress and author of On the Couch, Lorraine Bracco shares what she called “a vortex of pain,” and her daughters talk about how they were affected. Country singer, Gary Allan opens up about his wife’s depression and ultimate suicide. Plus-size model, Emme Aronson and her husband Phil recount his battle with depression and the treatment that helped him out of it. Psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and columnist Dr. Gail Saltz explains why depression is an illness and the possible benefits of psychotherapy.

From February 17, 2010: Oprah talks to Jim Jones, Jr., the son of the notorious Peoples Temple leader, about the Jonestown Massacre, why he didn’t “drink the Kool-Aid,” and how sports saved his life. Karen Kuzma opens up publicly, for the first time, about her brother serial killer John Wayne Gacy. She recalls life as they were growing up, the phone call when he was arrested and his last hours before he was executed.

From January 15, 2007: Exercise physiologist and certified personal trainer, Bob Greene discusses his #1 New York Times Bestselling book, The Best Life Diet. He talks through the three phases of the diet plan, reveals the type of food needed to maintain and lose weight more effectively, and gives tips for success on the plan. Guests share their weight loss journey and success using the Best Life Diet.

From February 21, 2007: Child abduction survivor, Todd Bequette, shares his experience of being kidnapped at age 13 and held captive for 18 months. He opens up about the abuse he suffered, the guilt he feels for recruiting other children and how this experience affected him. Elizabeth Smart’s father Ed discusses what happens when an abducted child returns home. Plus, President and CEO of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Ernie Allen, discusses laws that need to change. Todd Bequette died of a heart attack in 2013.

From November 1, 1988: A mother discusses the physical and emotional abuse she suffered at the hands of her father and how she later married an abuser. Her four children recall being abused by their father, and talk about the effect it’s had on their lives and how they see the pattern in their own lives. Professor and author of The Future as if it Really Mattered James Garbarino shares how to break the abusive cycle.

From March 22, 2000: Oprah shares stories featured in Matilda Raffa Cuomo’s book The Person Who Changed My Life, including Emmy-winning actor Martin Sheen and actor, producer, and host Jada Pinkett-Smith. Cuomo also surprises three-time Super Bowl-winning football player Emmitt Smith and actor Andrew Shue with the people who changed their lives.

From April 14, 1988: Oprah brings together a panel of women who have been sexually abused. The women open up about their traumatic experiences and the damage the abuse has caused. Dr. Susan Forward—lecturer and author of the No. 1 New York Times best seller, Men Who Hate Women and the Women Who Love Them—shares how survivors of sexual abuse feel “dirty, damaged and different.” She also explains how survivors can begin to put back the pieces of their lives, begin to heal and move forward. (Dr. Susan Forward passed away in February 2020.)

From April 16, 1998: Author Wess Roberts discusses his book, Protect Your Achilles Heel, and the connection between behavior and intention. He explains the difference between behavior patterns and character flaws, the number one problem in relationships and the importance of selflessness. Oprah also talks to audience members about their biggest flaws.

From February 28, 1989: Eight married couples go through the second of two days of marriage counseling to save their marriages. Dr. Harville Hendrix—therapist, speaker and author of the New York Times best-selling book Getting the Love You Want—walks the couples through marital exercises and gives tips on how to minimize arguments within the relationship.

From February 27, 1989: Eight married couples kick off two days of marriage counseling to save their marriages. Dr. Harville Hendrix—therapist, speaker and author of the New York Times best-selling book Getting the Love You Want—walks the couples through exercises that help resolve childhood wounds that are affecting their marriages.

From October 15, 1999: Oprah talks to people about the one thing they would change in order to make their lives better. Psychotherapist, speaker and author of Do One Thing Different, Bill O'Hanlon, shares how doing just one thing differently can move you in the right direction. He gives steps to making change, including transition rituals and what he describes as the “Mr. Rogers technique.”

From April 20, 1998: Oprah talks to mothers who are making preparations for family after their deaths. New Zealand mother Tobi Mills opens up about placing a newspaper ad seeking a new family for her 10-year-old twins as she undergoes treatment for liver cancer. Erin Kramp shares motherly advice in videos to her daughter and husband while fighting breast cancer. Rose and Al Malavolti adopted eight children from a mother who was suffering from a terminal illness. (Erin Kramp passed away on October 31, 1998; her daughter was 6 years old. Tobi Mills also passed away in 1998.)

From April 5, 2007: Oprah talks to parents and siblings of children on the autism spectrum about how this condition affects their lives. Dr. Anshu Batra, a developmental-behavioral pediatric specialist, discusses the three behavioral deficits that define autism, possible causes and early warning signs. Dr. Batra also opens up about the symptoms of her own autistic children and shares coping strategies parents can put in place.

From February 15, 2007: Television personality, author and psychic medium John Edward discusses his ability to speak to the dead. He describes how the process works, performs readings for families seeking to connect with deceased loved ones and provides tips on how the average person can be receptive to hearing from the other side. Allison DuBois, psychic, medium and author of the New York Times best-seller We Are Their Heaven: Why the Dead Never Leave Us, shares her experience working with law enforcement, which inspired the show Medium.

From January 24, 2007: Spiritual teacher and author of the #1 New York Times best-seller The Seat of the Soul, Gary Zukav shares how to transform your relationship into a spiritual partnership. He explains spiritual growth, the principle of intention and the difference between internal and external power. He also coaches couples in becoming emotionally aware and describes the importance of changing yourself before trying to change others.

From January 22, 2007: Journalist, financial columnist and author of The New York Times best-seller Make Money Not Excuses, Jean Chatzky gives the money lesson that every woman should learn. She also shares four steps to get richer. Plus, her dream team of financial experts helps audience members find ways to make more money with what they already have. Viewers who joined Oprah’s Great American Debt Diet share their experiences and results.

From April 20, 2005: Writer and mother of four, Ayelet Waldman, opens up about her controversial New York Times article, “Truly, Madly, Guiltily.” She explains why she stands by her words, “I love my husband more than my children.” Ayelet discusses the “all or nothing” proposition of motherhood, disconnection between spouses and how dissatisfaction can turn into anger. Roland Warren, President of the National Fatherhood Initiative, says that there is a clear difference between how men and women think about their roles in a family after children are born.

From June 13, 2002: Sociologist, life coach and New York Times best-selling author Dr. Martha Beck discusses what she calls “the disease to please.” She also coaches women on breaking their “doormat mentality.” Martha explains the K.I.S.S. rule, talks about why people pleasing can become an addiction and shares a quiz to see where you rank on the “doormat scale.” Plus, physician, journalist and New York Times best-selling author Dr. Nancy Snyderman discusses the physical effects of people pleasing and what she calls the “chew and stew” theory, which explains how we think and why we worry.

From March 13, 2002: Physician, researcher and author of the New York Times best-selling book Reversing Heart Disease, Dr. Dean Ornish advises women on how to prevent and reverse heart disease through diet and lifestyle. He discusses the importance of knowing your cholesterol level, the physical effect of toxic emotions and how just one minute a day of meditation can improve your health. Dr. Ornish also highlights three categories of food—the foods to eat most often, those to eat in moderation and those to eat least often.

From February 13, 2002: Life coach, speaker and New York Times best-selling author Dr. Martha Beck counsels overstressed and overscheduled women. She coaches women on how to de-stress and de-clutter their lives. Martha explains the importance of teaching your kids instead of doing for them, how to use your life goals to clean your house and why she believes people pleasing is as dangerous as an addiction.

From June 21, 2000: Oprah talks to people who have made drastic changes to live the lives of their dreams. Plus, spiritual teacher and New York Times best-selling author Gary Zukav gives advice on how to find strength and courage to follow your heart’s desire. He also explains the importance of choice, life experimentation and how to reach what he calls “authentic power.”

From June 8, 2000: Oprah and a team of parenting experts teach frazzled moms and dads how to spend conscious, attentive time with their children. They discuss strategies for having great family conversations, explain what teenagers really want and give tips for divorced parents. The panel also discusses the importance of tradition, rituals and how to recognize what you want your kids to remember from their childhood. Plus, children share how they feel loved and when they know their parent is not listening.

From May 10, 2000: Speaker and author Kathy Peel discusses her book, Be Your Best, and the importance of taking time for yourself. She also shares what she says is the essential question to ask yourself: “Do you see yourself as valuable?” Plus, Kathy identifies what she calls “time robbers,” offers ideas for personal restoration and explains how busy moms can find more time at home.

From April 28, 2000: Businessman and author, Robert Kiyosaki, discusses his New York Times Bestselling book, Rich Dad Poor Dad. He explains why he believes it’s important that we change the way we think about money. Robert details misconceptions of assets and liabilities, using debt to gain wealth and why we should pay ourselves before our bills. Other experts share money saving secrets and investment tips.

From April 6, 2000: Psychologist Dr. Linda S. Austin— author of What’s Holding You Back?: Eight Critical Choices For Women's Success—discusses the psychological “glass ceiling” that some women face in their lives and careers. She shares the role that fear plays in holding people back and explains how to overcome it. Dr. Austin also coaches women through making critical choices, like taking risks and learning to deal with difficult people. Plus, Oprah talks to Olympian luger Bonny Warner, who shares her success and how she accomplished her life goals.

From October 28, 1999: Oprah highlights the importance of friendship in our lives, and dedicates a show to reuniting women with best friends with whom they have lost touch. Friendship expert, sociologist and Friendshifts author Dr. Jan Yager gives reasons why friendships shift and shares advice on rekindling relationships. She also explains how to recognize if a friendship is worth salvaging and why it’s important to understand that the relationship may not be what it was before.

From October 6, 1999: Teacher, speaker and author of Codes of Love Mark Bryan discusses how to deal with conflicts within the family. He also shares what he calls the “moment of truth” exercise, how to look at the past with a new perspective and coaches two families through the four steps to reconciliation: Remember, Reflect, Reframe, and Reconnect.

From April 27, 1999: Oprah dedicates a show to women who have a hard time expressing their true feelings when in difficult situations and conversations. Assertiveness coach, Jan Ferris, shares the importance of boundary setting and tips for learning how to say, “No.” New York Times Business Bestselling authors of Difficult Conversations, Doug Stone and Sheila Heen, discuss why some conversations are more difficult than others, teach what they call the doubling technique and give advice for tough scenarios.

From April 9, 1999: Educator, motivational speaker and author of the New York Times best-seller Healing the Shame that Binds You, John Bradshaw counsels three women on how they can let go of the crippling shame they have carried with them for years. He also shares the steps to healing, the difference between healthy and toxic shame, and the importance of embracing the shame you feel. John Bradshaw passed away in 2016 from heart failure.

From January 12, 1999: Jim O’Connor—founder of the Cuss Control Academy and author of Cuss Control—explains why we use profanity, why we shouldn’t swear and which alternate expressions are better to use. Then, life coach and author of Take Yourself to the Top, Laura Berman Fortgang, gives advice on how to live a happier life by giving up some things. She also discusses boundary-setting and offers key questions to ask yourself in order to prioritize what really matters.