Wide Open with Ashlyn Harris

Visibility is important, especially when it comes to the queer community. There were great examples of this at the Winter Olympics, most virally when hockey player Hillary Knight proposed to speed skater Brittany Bowe. Today, Ashlyn sits down with Brittany to talk about that moment and what posting engagement pictures meant as an act of queer joy. Plus they talk about Brittany’s unconventional path to an unique sport, what’s next for her in retirement, and why that involves hypnotherapy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re anything like Ashlyn you love true crime. But have you ever taken a step back to think about the ethics behind all those stories? Amanda Knox became one of the most recognizable names in true crime through biased reporting and sensational storytelling. Today she tells us how she’s clearing her name by reclaiming her story. She talks about the misogyny of the media circus around her trial, her new documentary, Mouth of the Wolf, about returning to Italy, and what healing looks like for her now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What could you accomplish if you took big risks without worrying about failure? That’s what has driven Alice Delanunt’s career as she climbed the ranks of the fashion business from Burberry, to Ralph Lauren, to her own digital fashion platform, Syky. Alice and Ashlyn bond about living a life free of regrets because they’ve taken big swings to achieve their dreams. They also talk about Alice’s Dublin origins, the power of a chic lesbian friend group, and why it’s important to take breaks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Ashlyn is joined by Red Bull Athlete, Olympic Gold Medalist, and star of her own new film, "Now Days," Caroline Marks. Caroline and Ashlyn share a lot in common, from growing up in small-town coastal Florida to competing amongst the boys growing up with their brothers. But history isn't lost on Caroline. She recognizes the women athletes who have come before her and paved the way for her to be where she is today.    https://www.redbull.com/us-en/super-six-surfers-in-now-days-filmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may know her as the creator of a hashtag and a movement, but Tarana Burke's work didn't just begin in 2017 when the #MeToo movement went viral on social media. Tarana Burke began the Me Too movement in 1997 in Selma, Alabama. Today, Ashlyn sits down with the founder herself to get the full picture and talk about where the movement is headed in dark times. Find out why Tarana describes it as "cutting the toenails off of a dragon" in this interview.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Ashlyn is sitting down with the internet’s favorite lesbian, Catherine McCafferty. On her show, Pretty Gay, she dates culture’s hottest gays and today she’s telling long-partnered Ashlyn what it's like on the queer streets these days. They talk about red flags and icks plus deeper things like coming out later in life and why it’s important to be a good queer elder.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From an early age Nia Sioux saw what she wanted and went after it. After years of being in the spotlight on Lifetime's Dance Moms, Nia is taking her narrative back. In this weeks episode of Wide Open Ashlyn and Nia dive into how it all began when she was 9 years old and what the journey was like for her growing up in the spotlight, and writing her new book "Bottom of the Pyramid".  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It takes a powerful, confident woman to hold her own with Anna Wintour and climb the corporate ladder at Conde Nast. It takes an even stronger woman to leave a 20 year career behind and start something new. Pamela Drucker Mann is that woman, and Ashlyn talks to her today about the moment she decided to bet on herself—co-founding Run-A-Muck media alongside industry legends, Ilene Chaiken and Jennifer Beals. From The L Word to Heated Rivalry, they talk queer representation in media, why competition is important, and how to be fearless in work and life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

13 years ago on Valentine's day, Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne made out in a bar. Now they're married with two kids, three cats, and a production company. Today with Ashlyn, the couple reflects on their relationship, their family, and what's important to them in the present moment. They also open up about the moving process of producing and releasing the documentary, Come See Me In The Good Light, a beautiful tribute to queer poet Andrea Gibson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kathy Griffin joins us this week to talk about being unapologetically her during times when it's politically dangerous. She's had 3 facelifts and shes never stopped being funny. Enjoy this timely chat with Ashlyn and Kathy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two gays meet on a podcast and instantly confuse their sexuality. Beloved Peleton instructor, Cody Rigsby, talks to Ashlyn about why he's chosen to lean into his queerness as a Peleton creator, meeting the iconic Ru Paul, and figuring out how to take it slow and live in the moment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get ready for your first good laugh of 2026 because Hannah Berner is on Wide Open! If you’re anything like Ashlyn, your laughter might disrupt a room while listening to Hannah talk about her love of lesbians, her dad’s reaction to her raunchy comedy, and lessons from growing up as a serious tennis player. By the end of this episode, you’ll want to wear a tie and thank a lesbian for paving the way for strong women everywhere.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicole Snooki Polizzi became famous for her leading role on the culturally iconic series Jersey Shore. But a lot has happened since Polizzi was 21. She's now a mother, a designer, and she's doing paranormal investigations. A cheer mom who still loves her leopard, Nicole tells Ashlyn about her regular store customers and what we can expect to see next from the Jersey legend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wide Open kicks off the new year with the smart, hilarious, and fearless Chelsea Handler. Gearing up for her High and Mighty tour, Ashlyn talks to Chelsea about the freedom she’s embraced as she ages ever so gracefully. Her sense of adventure has taken her to Antarctica, to a Vegas dalliance with a cowboy, and to a psychedelics conference on a cruise ship. Chelsea and Ashlyn get into all of this and more in an episode that might just inspire you to shed your self-consciousness in 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Ashlyn is joined by producer, TV personality, and celebrity stylist Mal Wright to discuss the complexities of identity, the power of community, and the importance of self-compassion. In this candid conversation, they explore the challenges and triumphs of navigating life in the public eye, the impact of appearing on Queer Ultimatum, and the beauty of allowing oneself to evolve. Tune in for an episode filled with warmth, wisdom, and a reminder to be gentle with ourselves and others.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The festive, cozy, and moving chat continues in part two of Ashlyn and Sophia’s holiday extravaganza. From silly habits to deeply felt emotions, the couple reveals the joy their relationship has brought them over the years. This one’s for listeners who love love. Get ready to laugh and even shed a tear or two.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ashlyn and Sophia cordially invite you to their home for a holiday gathering. Grab a glass of wine, cozy up to the fire, and prepare to learn more about the singular beauty and exceptional talent that is Sophia Bush. Together, Ashlyn and Sophia explore how they inspire, challenge, and uplift one another. Put on your cozy Christmas sweater and get ready to feel your heart grow three sizes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Wide Open...Producer Joelle Monique joins Ashlyn to answer your listener questions. As we wrap up the first season of Wide Open, Ashlyn takes a moment to look back at the year and drop some hints on what's to come in 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to couples therapy, filled with tough love and hard truths. Raven-Symoné and Miranda Maday tell Ashlyn the story of how they fell in love, U-Haul and all. They don’t leave out the hard parts of their story, like the time Raven broke up with Miranda and the healing and vulnerability it took for them to re-commit to one another for life. They reveal the ways they've challenged and pushed one another to grow in their relationship, the weird AI generated videos wreacking havock on their lives, and why they want each other to live forever.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Ashlyn sits down with the one and only Jennifer Welch, from interior designer on Bravo's Sweet Home Oklahoma to being political on her podcast I've Had It. Today, Jennifer is talking about cutting conservative women out of her pickleball league, how she shows up for the queer community, who she thinks will be the first female president, the MAGA masculinity crisis, and moving to New York City!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jasmine Crockett has been going through it. As she bravely tries to preserve the American people's rights to health insurance, food, and marriage equality, she must confront a government unwilling to come to the table with humane solutions. She talks to Ashlyn about what banding together could look like and the type of life she hopes to live after Congress. Leading with grace, humor, and fire, Jasmine Crockett shows us what it means to stay grounded while pushing for change.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live from Red Bull Rampage, Ashlyn takes advantage of rain delays to talk to some of the competition's most exciting stars. Hannah Bergemann and Chelsea Kimbell are two freeride slopestyle mountain bikers who are undaunted facing huge heights, long jumps, and steep drops of the treacherous Utah mountain trails. Alongside commentator Selema Masekela, Ashlyn talks to Hannah and Chelsea about how they mentally and physically prepare for these extreme challenges, which  could end in disaster with one wrong landing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're continuing the 40th birthday celebration with recent initiate Yvonne Orji. The unofficial hype woman for the US Women's Tennis team, Orji says she doesn't know how to do loose. She's become obsessed with the sport. Growing up with brothers, she learned to be rough and tumble and embraced her tomboy energy. Then she went to an all-girls school in Amish country. It wasn't until she was cast on Insecure, she learned she was a "real girl." Yvonne tells Ashland about her love for the $0.99 Store, how she learned to acknowledge her beauty, and how she balanced life in America and Nigeria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jockular is the militant feminist, horny, sports nerd podcast led by ER Fightmaster, Tien Tran, and Katie Kershaw. ER and Tien join Ashlyn to talk about which sport produces the best thighs, how seeing women's sports is helping young women understand themselves better, and together they imagine what the gay Olympics would be like. Plus, how can queer women help support queer men in sports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An icon has entered the pod. Katy O'Brian is a Renaissance woman. She's an actress known for her role in Love Lives Bleeding, a former body builder, a black belt, and is currently writing a book. Ashlyn discusses their recent love of creatine, what allows Katy to take on all of the different roles she's tackled, how she met a princess of Thailand, and what it was like to audition beside Kristin Stewart. Fear based culture has no room in this conversation. We're talking about the joy that comes with taking a bet on yourself.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twin Magic is in the studio! Nikki and Brie Garcia, formerly known as the Bella Twins are more than sister, they're best friends who feel like each other's super powers. The WWE stars grew up playing soccer and were pretty serious about the sport until they were each struck by tragedy; Nikki broke her leg in half and Brie's boyfriend died unexpectedly. Together, they discuss the personal impact of changing their name and the power performing in the ring instills in them. Ashlyn asks them about what it's like raising young boys in the current political enviroment as empowered women. No Majorca for us, but we loved catching up with two our favorite women.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Casey Brown broke barriers when she became the first woman to complete a practice run at Red Bull Rampage. Having grown up out of society, she was born loving to play rough and go big when it comes to sports. Brown speaks to Ashlyn about the thrill of riding, the mental fortitude of surviving severe injuries, and the pressure that comes with being a pioneer in an event. Through Dark Horse, her insular biking event, she helps women develop careers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jameela Jamil's well known for using her voice to center important issues like period poverty, eating disorders, and discrimination against women - but she wasn't born that way. Ashlyn and Jameela discuss the power of divine femininity and how Jameela learned how to leave repression behind. Part of the secret: rush toward your crone era, destroy the patriarchy, and let spite lead the way. At almost 40, Jameela celebrates the second half of life - she knows herself better than ever, she's having better sex than ever, and she's more powerful than ever. Basically, become harder to kidnap and embrace pleasure wherever you find it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Ashlyn sits down with entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker, Gary Vaynerchuk. They dive deep into what made Gary into the man he is today. Whether it be his mother, father, or grandmother, Gary absorbs every lesson he’s taught and puts them to practice. Together they consider different approaches to parenting, observe the insecurities men and women face, and talk about how to become comfortable being uncomfortable.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Ashlyn sits down with YouTuber, actress, comedian, and author Lilly Singh. As you can tell from those titles, Lilly has accomplished a lot in her career. But this conversation reaches far beyond her accolades and gets to the heart of who she is beyond her work. Lilly talks about what she’s learned in her 15 years in the public eye, how she maintains confidence in the face of criticism, and who she looks to for inspiration these days. Plus, she tells us about the labor of love that is her new movie, Doin It, a raunchy sex-comedy that Lilly wrote, produced, and stars in. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Ashlyn sits down with breakdancer Sunny Choi. It’s been about a year since Sunny achieved her childhood dream of competing in the Olympics, though as a kid she thought she’d do it as a gymnast. Sunny takes Ashlyn through her upbringing and the personal battles she had to overcome to make it to the largest stage of her sport. Plus, she opens up about the high of getting breakdancing into the 2024 Paris Olympics and the low of learning that it would not be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ashlyn sits down with legend and entertainer, Margaret Cho. They talk about growing up in a queer bookstore in San Francisco, why dominatrixes should be well paid, and why we laugh. Digressions include Margaret’s beloved dogs, lesbian yearning, and a laundry list of improvements to the Queer Ultimatum.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ashlyn sits down with model and entrepreneur Lauren Chan for a conversation about Lauren’s divorce and late-in-life coming out, becoming a queer trailblazer in the fashion world, and why leading with vulnerability can actually be a power move. Lauren also opens up about using basketball as both an outlet and an identity, the pressure girls face around body image in sports, and what it really took to pivot from corporate publishing to the runway—while shutting down online haters along the way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Ashlyn connects with dancer, actor, and mental health practitioner Alyson Stoner. Listeners may know Alyson from their childhood roles in Cheaper By the Dozen, Camp Rock, and much more, but these days they’re exposing the “toddler to train-wreck pipeline” that child actors are up against. Alyson’s new memoir, Well Adjusted Despite Literally Everything, details their personal journey in this system and how they have begun to heal from it. Alyson and Ashlyn connect over a passion for mental health advocacy, discovering who they are beyond what they do, and protecting kids in entertainment, sports, and beyond.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ashlyn gets real with Marion Jones: Olympian, Tarheel, and one-time fastest woman on Earth. Marion takes Ashlyn back in time, to when she spent 49 days in solitary confinement and finally realized what she needed to tell the world. They talk through the regrets, guilt, and tears that paved the way for change– from tabloids to jail, fairweather friends to mothering when the world wants to write your story for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Ashlyn sits down with Krista Tippett — journalist, author, and host of On Being — for a thoughtful conversation about what it means to explore spirituality with openness and humility, and how meaningful conversations can help us make sense of the world. Together they unpack how hosting is an act of hospitality and dialogue is a form of adventure — a way of searching for knowledge together, one question at a time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode, Ashlyn gets wide open with YouTube star, model, and actor Gigi Gorgeous. Fresh off some big news, the two get vulnerable in a conversation that spans knowing yourself, caring for the queer community, and experiencing huge life events in the public eye.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Wide Open, Ashlyn Harris sits down with emotional expert, scientist, and Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos to talk about that thing we’re all chasing: happiness. Why isn’t it as easy to be happy, to experience joy, as it should be? How do we recognize the moments we’re heading over the edge, and pull ourselves back? Newsflash: it’s not your fault. Tips, tricks, and digressions into sports metaphors abound.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Wide Open, Ashlyn Harris sits down with trailblazing model Coco Rocha. Coco opens up about carving out a distinct voice in an industry that often demands conformity, and how she’s stayed grounded by sticking to her values. They also talk about body image, boundaries, the challenges of pregnancy, and joys of motherhood. It’s a candid look at reinvention, resilience, and leading with intention.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Ashlyn sits down with Diana Flores, quarterback for the Mexican national flag football team. Flag football was recently announced as a new sport in the 2028 summer Olympics, and that’s largely due to Diana and her teammate’s efforts to get the sport recognized. She tells Ashlyn about that effort, how she fell in love with flag football in the first place, and how playing with boys helped her understand her power. She also shares who she is off the field and why she aims to be a role model for any woman chasing wild dreams.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re finishing out Pride 2025 with three queer blondes sipping wine: Ashlyn sits down with her friends– and sometimes family– Queer Eye alum Carson Kressley and Grand Slam champion Rennae Stubbs. They discuss gay Thanksgiving, Carson & Rennae’s secret horse girl pasts, hall passes, dating your teammates, and just what it means to have community there for you in the hardest season of your life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Wide Open, Ashlyn Harris sits down with design expert and Queer Eye star Bobby Berk for an honest conversation about what it means to build your life on your own terms. Bobby talks about how the law of abundance applies to queer representation, the grit it took to become self-made, and the emotional clarity that comes with learning to let go.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Ashlyn sits down with poet, comedian, and inspiring public speaker, Alok Vaid-Menon. Ashlyn and Alok jump straight into a complex discussion about what it’s like to exist as a queer person in the present cultural and political climate. From Alok’s experience growing up queer in Texas, to finding heaven in queer spaces, to performing their work in places not considered queer friendly, the conversation leads the two to discover that queer people aren’t actually the “different” ones, despite what society may tell us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Ashlyn sits down with President of the Human Right Campaign (and friend for life), Kelley Robinson. They talk about Kelley’s secret past as an MMA fighter, organizing the big campaigns to be able to enjoy the small moments, and how to celebrate loudly and proudly this Pride– even when the climate tries to tell us “no.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Ashlyn sits down with internet icon Shannon Beveridge to talk about the highs and lows of growing up online. She opens up about what past relationships have taught her, how she's navigated vulnerability in the public eye, and why authentic queer representation still matters. The two talk about identity, growth, and staying grounded while sharing your life with the world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.