It’s here: the time of year when we mix it up with family. Good to keep a little forgiveness handy.... more

The Office co-stars and best friends, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, are doing the ultimate Office-lovers podcast for you. Each... more

Kelly introduces a series on energy management titled 'The Art of Recuperation,' starting with guest Christy Turlington Burns. They explore... more

This week's submission is from one of Kelly's all-time favorite women, Jerry Kinkead, a close friend of Kelly's mom. Jerry... more

Reflections on what we saw and felt on the route of the NYC Marathon. A feel good Go To for... more

From San Quentin inmate to neighborhood safety advocate, Kelly’s guest Sam Vaughn embodies the ideal of “be the change you... more

Amy VerMerris, who refers to herself as an "elementary school book lady", wrote this essay emphasizing the power of books... more

A quick hit on recognizing our greatest single act of agency. Meant to be shared, especially with the younger generations.... more

Talking Heads. American Utopia. Singular creative David Byrne talks with Kelly about how he stays just cheerful enough to keep... more

This week's Thanks for Being Here features a heartfelt message from listener Lissa Soep. Kelly shares an excerpt from Lissa's... more

Kelly had a dream. Over a decade, the dream started to seem stupidly out of reach so she went about... more

This one’s a doozie.  Dr. Aliza Pressman goes deep with Kelly on invisible acts of 'interpersonal bravery,' focusing on courage in family... more

Geraldine Williams wrote this loving eulogy for her dear friend Hillary. She highlights Hillary's vibrant spirit, genuine interest in others... more

We are storytelling beings, driven by a need for closure—or what our lit professors called denouement. Today’s Go To talks... more

This is an episode that will set your heart right. We know that the #1 driver of human happiness across... more

A great note from a woman who needed a lot of help from her husband after surgery. The long recuperation... more

This week's Go To features an interview with Kelly on'The One You Feed,' hosted by Eric Zimmer. The conversation delves... more

Michael Lezak is a rabbi who spends most of his time in service, shoulder to shoulder with some of America’s... more

This week's episode features Jenny Rosenstrach's heartfelt eulogy for her father, Ivan, highlighting his unwavering dependability and his profound love... more

Are you good with money? Or are you avoiding taking a close look at what you have and what you need?... more

In our final episode of the Shook By A Book series, Kelly talks with actor, writer and celebrated creative mind,... more

A short but powerful story by Susie DeCarlo about her mother but also about herself. Often, the way our parents... more

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Kelly shares her reaction to the pink ribbon while she was in chemo... more

What book shook you to your core? That’s the question we’re asking some of our favorite American thinkers. This week we’re... more

Lily Janas, now a student at Bowdoin College, wrote this stirring college admissions essay called “We Rise”. She sets the... more

In honor of the late Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Kelly shares some borrowed wisdom from her final book: The Joy of... more

Our 5-part "Shook By A Book" series continues today with US Congresswoman Katie Porter. (You might have seen her on TV;... more

This week's Thanks for Being Here features a letter from singer/songwriter Lisa Redfern to her unborn child, reflecting on her... more

In this special Go To, Kelly and Christy Turlington Burns sit down with Melinda French Gates to talk about the... more

In the second episode of our "Shook by a Book" series, Kelly connects with Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and bestselling author... more

Sherri Coale wrote a deeply-felt “you got this” letter to her son Colton in the days before his wedding. She... more

Funny with a touch of Irish melancholy.  That's how actor, director, producer Edward Burns described Molly, his mother, to me... more

Welcome to Shook By A Book, a 5 part series where we talk to big time American thinkers about transformative... more

Listener Duncan Keegan submitted this astonishingly beautiful eulogy which he wrote and delivered for his five year-old son Ruairí.  We... more

How do people come to change their minds? Hint: it’s not because of some novel argument or just the right... more

Judd Apatow is curious, unassuming and forthcoming in this conversation with Kelly about his mom, his daughters, the business that... more

Tim and Julie Vasquez submitted two lovely essays that Tim wrote when it was time to send their sons off... more

Confessions and thoughts on all the ways our biases mess up how we think and how that locks us into... more

We learned today that one of our favorite guests, Dr. Helen Fisher, passed away recently.   I first heard her... more

Though we dream of big overhauls, national change often comes after many states and cities sprinkled across the country come... more

Listener Jocelyn Cohen expresses her gratitude and commemorates National Doctors Day by sharing an essay in honor of Dr. Leon... more

If I don't let myself cry, I risk a migraine, which is to risk several days of living.  So when... more

Sometimes, even when things go precisely as you hoped they would, change hurts. Kelly was a guest on a podcast... more

Listener Suleena Kansal Kalra shares her poignant reflections on becoming an empty nester through her beautifully written essay, "The Launch".... more

Here are 4 pretty perfect poems to slow you down and give a dose of serenity to underwrite your day,... more

Meet Daniel Lubetzky, founder of KIND Healthy Snacks and son of a Holocaust survivor. He is irresistible, a force for... more

This episode features a eulogy delivered by Lauren Smith Medina, the goddaughter of her beloved Uncle Den. Lauren reminisces about... more

One of the things you lose when you lose someone essential is the comfort of their presence — and their... more

When veteran BBC journalist Laura Trevelyan discovered her family was involved in slavery in Grenada, she did what journalists do:... more

An anonymous listener shares a letter about her complicated relationship with a still-living, yet emotionally distant parent. The listener reflects... more

With extra thanks to the Aspen Ideas Festival, here are Kelly's notes from a happiness panel featuring Adam Gopnik, Tamar... more

Kelly talks with Chasten Buttigieg, teacher, advocate, and husband of U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. The conversation goes deep... more

In this episode, Anne Swayze shares an emotional tribute to her 16-year-old golden retriever, Mac, who touched many lives over... more

Kelly shared the stage with acclaimed author (and personal hero) Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie at this year's Aspen Ideas Festival to... more

Kelly shares an episode of a podcast she loves called A Braver Way which is hosted by friends of Kelly... more

Can memorials transform thinking?  Have you ever felt something change inside you looking at a sculpture or walking through an... more

Listener Katie Niemeyer shares a poignant story from her time as a 16-year-old patient in a burn unit, battling a... more

Today, I'm sharing my notes from listening to Indra Nooyi, who had a transformative tenure as CEO of PepsiCo, and... more

Nicholas Kristof is one of America's most experienced, prolific, awarded and grounded journalists.  I read him often when I want... more

Kristina Phipps wrote this exquisite, poetic eulogy to honor her mom Ann Emanuels.  Ann's love for beauty and her affinity... more

Getting the call, drafting a talk, practicing in the mock studio, dinner at Chris Anderson's with all the other speakers...it's... more

Living in an optimization culture is making parenting much more complicated than it need be. Or so says Dr. Aliza... more

Today’s submission is introduced in the episode as a eulogy but it’s actually an essay that writer, speaker and advocate... more

You and I both have short lists of people we just cannot bring ourselves to understand. But even in those... more

Rainn Wilson (who you might know as Dwight Schrute) is making a serious call for a spiritual revolution based on... more

In honor of 20 years together, Leslie Browning wrote this sweet tribute to her husband Ben. In her early years,... more

I learn a lot from listeners.  This GOTO is a lesson in humility for me.  And maybe for you too. ... more

Dan Harris is a smart, hungry skeptic looking for ideas you can count on in the worst of times, like... more

Jody Weverka wrote this sweet eulogy for her Auntie Marge - a woman who made everything from crafts to meals... more

A young friend of mine, Sophie G, shared this speech that she had saved from her high school graduation week. ... more

Krista Tippett, informed by decades of inquiry through her super-project, On Being, sits with Kelly to consider what’s in flux,... more

We all have things we do to help us manage grief.  Today's episode is a look at one of the... more

A special episode dedicated to Kelly’s dear friend Liz Laats who passed away 8 years ago - and the friends... more

This is one of my favorite groupings of guests ever. Sometimes the chemistry is just so right. For... more

Hi all - this is Tammy writing.  This past Tuesday, June 4th, 2024, I had the honor of attending the... more

It was a bad day in a bad week. And then, there he was, The Husband, trying a trick... more

How does spirituality factor into well being? Do people of faith have better mental health? Here’s a warm... more

Lean Macfarlane wrote this exquisite eulogy to honor her husband Brian. It's a beautifully intimate portrait of the man Brian... more

I’ve been asked to give many graduation speeches. This one was a favorite, making a case for one very... more

Is nutrition a legitimate medical intervention for some mental health disorders? Absolutely, says cardiologist Dr. Bret Scher, whose research focuses... more

Pete Bidstrup wrote this heartfelt tribute to his dad Lawrence “Larry” Otto Bidstrup. Larry was a husband, father, grandfather, Marine,... more

From Kelly’s graduation speech at The University of Richmond, 67 legit reasons for optimism even now. (Previously aired) ... more

We need big fat fluffy hippocampi and there’s a really clear way to make this happen: move your body. We... more

Kelly shares an excerpt from Jessica Fein's new book Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes. In Jessica's... more

Things we know about touch and why it is so important, from my own recent experiences and through this conversation... more

Quick afternoon nap? Gummies before bed? Hitting snooze? Here’s a thorough look at how to get our... more

Today is the last of our special 5-part series about moms in honor of Every Mother Counts. Christy and... more

Today is #4 in a special 5-part series about moms in honor of Every Mother Counts. Today we talk to... more

Today is #3 in a special 5-part series about moms in honor of Every Mother Counts. Bono lost his... more

Today is #2 in a special 5-part series about moms in honor of Every Mother Counts. Amy Schumer is... more

Today begins a 5-part series of conversations about moms in honor of Every Mother Counts. Jen G, as we... more

You cannot talk about well-being without talking about our connections. As my guest, the divine Esther Perel, makes gin... more

At this time of year, we are knee-deep in sports: college lacrosse, the NBA play-offs and all the golf majors.... more

I am damn near hopeless with routers and a printer on the skids can take me around the bend. ... more

Doctors Julie Schwartz Gottman and John Gottman are probably the world’s reigning experts on relationships. They are well into... more

Cathy Coleman wrote this eulogy for her mother Shirley. For Mother’s Day the year Cathy was 57, she made... more

After much back and forth with you all on Facebook, I came up with my most important go-to items —... more

Dr. Leanne Williams is determined to spare people the suffering she’s endured. Her partner of many years died by... more

Nancy Brown, a military spouse of 19 years, wrote this loving tribute for her two best deployment buddies. It... more

I’ve done it again. I accidentally saw the world through my own lens and forgot all the other ways... more

How much can we blame DNA for our depression and anxiety? Is something about our mental health pre-written into... more

Writer Courtney Martin wrote this loving, humorous tribute to her mother for her 75th birthday. Along with detailing some... more

When my girls were young, I must have told them a hundred times: you get what you give. I... more

Here’s why I had to sit with Dr. Dima Amso, who teaches and runs a lab that studies developmental cognition... more

Michelle Hurst celebrates her husband and their marriage on the occasion of their 20th Anniversary. From 23 year-old newlyweds finding... more

There is a lot to know about what makes love last. People like John Gottman and Helen Fisher have... more

Is it nature? Is it nurture? Is it daily choices or the contexts we live in? What... more

Kelly recently found an old letter (hidden away in a closet in Bozeman) that she had written to her mom,... more

Observations on what cancer made visible to me. To learn more about listener data... more

Kelly talks with New Yorker staff writer Jia Tolentino about identity, culture and the irresistable manipulation of the internet. Jia... more

Keith Romano wrote and delivered this eulogy for his father Patrick Romano, a lover of sports who believed that teamwork... more

Intuition. Wisdom. Time. These are just some of the assets the Badass Grandmas bring to their bipartisan... more

There’s so many people who claim to be experts about family life. Dr. Lisa Damour is the real deal. This... more

Heather Clay submitted her magical, beautifully written essay “Elephants”, after a two-week trip to Africa. Part travelogue, part reflective journal... more

Here’s a word that everyone is saying these days: mindfulness. I don’t totally know what it means, officially, but... more

Though we dream of big overhauls, national change often comes after many states and cities sprinkled across the country come... more

A letter from Kelly to honor the many special nurses who have provided care to her and the people she... more

Here’s something I know for sure, as Oprah would say…the more specifically you can communicate, the more deeply you can... more

Every so often, Kelly Corrigan Wonders will make space in our feed for someone else’s podcast. In this case,... more

Renowned educator Wanda Holland Greene joins Kelly to dig into finding common ground with absolutely anyone, even people we think... more

Three decades after graduating, Martha Zeeman wrote this letter of gratitude to Marsie, her randomly-selected college suite-mate at the University... more

This is a counter intuitive idea that might not land for everyone but deserved to be shared for group... more

Forgiveness may be the most advanced intellectual and emotional move we make as humans. It is a complete override of... more

Quite often, it’s hard to know how to properly show up for a friend who’s going through a tough time... more

Breaking down the principles, practices and tactics of conflict resolution to be shared with anyone who is struggling to reach... more

For the closing episode of our Rupture + Repair series, we are offering a most unusual conversation between two women... more

Tamar Gendler, a former guest on Kelly Corrigan Wonders, wrote this exquisite eulogy for her father Everett. Everett was... more

As you’ll hear in this short letter from me to you, I am a little nervous about next week’s episode.... more

Every so often, Kelly Corrigan Wonders will make space in our feed for someone else’s podcast. In this case,... more

Is it really possible to talk lovingly and openly, face to face, with someone who thinks you’re going to hell?... more

Carter paints a vivid picture of her popular Baltimore mom Sally who always gave back and had plenty of love... more

I spent about an hour with Matthew McConaughey in Bentonville AR at The Heartland Summit. We talked about acting,... more

Manu Meel is helping college kids talk to each other — inside and outside of classes, individually and in groups,... more

Today’s Thanks For Being Here is a eulogy written by Kelly’s dear friend Tracy Tuttle McGowan for her mother Michele... more

Life is more often in between than high and low. We are also usually somewhere between our very best... more

Doctors Julie Schwartz Gottman and John Gottman are probably the world’s reigning experts on relationships. They are well into... more

Kirsten’s dad Tom was beloved by his kids and grandkids (one of whom couldn’t pronounce the letter “T”, resulting in... more

What happens in the first 180 seconds of a fight determine its outcome at least 90% of the time. ... more

Moni Guzman came to the US from Mexico with her family many decades ago. In the past two presidential... more

Meghan Jarvis’ beautiful story of what happened as she holed herself up in a friend’s home to write her mother’s... more

Does someone you love vote for someone you really do not love? This is a short piece about getting... more

Every so often, Kelly Corrigan Wonders will make space in our feed for someone else’s podcast. In this case,... more

Reflecting on the persistence and challenge of change as a way of life and a few deep dives into very... more

Today’s Thanks For Being Here features an excerpt from the book Normal Broken: The Grief Companion for When It's Time... more

It can be really hard to interpret the signals our bodies send us. Does stress mean we should run?... more

The word is EVERYWHERE. Happiness. I don’t even always believe that it’s a worthy goal honestly, but that... more

Alisha Goldblatt submitted her short, beautifully written poem, “Parenting 101”, which likens parenting to a class - one which is... more

What’s the point of slowing down, noticing, directing your attention to small wonders? Kelly celebrates the work of Dacher... more

Living in an optimization culture is making parenting much more complicated than it need be. Or so says Dr. Aliza... more

In honor of our 100th Thanks for Being Here episode, I wrote a love letter to Tammy, whose name you... more

A lovely story about a neighborhood in Baltimore has been circulating this week. Like so many people, I was... more

“He may die but he’s alive now and we are going to enjoy this moment together.” This is theology... more

This essay has never before been shared outside of Julia Ogden’s family but fortunately for us, she has decided to... more

It’s here: the time of year when we mix it up with family. Good to keep a little forgiveness... more

Mary Louise Kelly (host of NPR’s All Things Considered) has been doing some reflecting. What choices did she make... more

Natalie Silverstein honors the relationship she shared with her mother, who passed away in October of 2021 at the age... more

Confessions and thoughts on all the ways our biases mess up how we think and how that locks us into... more

Well, if you need something to help you believe in people’s ability to affect outcomes, if you need a reason... more

Anyone who has lost a parent knows that in addition to deep sadness, quite often the loss can bring up... more

With a special nod to every high school senior hearing back from colleges right about now, here are a few... more

This is an episode that will set your heart right. We know that the #1 driver of human happiness across... more

The thing about being the neighbor across the street is that you are always looking out at the home you... more

Ron Shaich, the son of a man who died with a few regrets, started two super successful restaurant chains: Panera... more

Arianna Huffington loves her mom, reading, America, adventure and getting to the bottom of things. She has spent a... more

As families gather in homes across the country for Thanksgiving, we thought it would be nice to share this heartfelt... more

Every Friday, we share something good and true about the world, something to get your head right as you finish... more

I have had migraines so bad that I ended up in the ER, so my interest in this episode was... more

Kelly shares an excerpt from her friend Alix Strauss’ book, The Joy of Funerals: A Novel in Stories, which... more

Here’s my case for celebrating the litany of accomplishments that a completed college application represents. A special episode to... more

He’s good. He’s really good. In particular, Pete Buttigieg is good at making connections between pragmatic stuff like... more

A stunningly beautiful eulogy comprised of notes written over many years by Paul Paroff to his friend Chris Stokes’ mother... more

It often takes the perspective of another to help us see things in a new way. This GOTO includes... more

It’s not that common for someone to retain her optimism even as she studies all the ways that health outcomes... more

Kelly shares a lovely letter written by George Saunders (author of books such as Lincoln in the Bardo and A... more

Thoughts on the once-ness of life. With thanks to a woman I talked to at a party in Portland... more

Everyone is thinking about war and service. Here’s a conversation with someone who has known many battlefields and paid dearly... more

Kelly’s friend Alec Guettel wrote this fabulous love letter to his wife Christy when they were forced to be apart... more

I had this crazy thing happen one morning trying to get to LAX that I keep reflecting on. Meant... more

I loved being with Ginni Rometty. She is full of insight and clearly oriented toward world-positive work. I... more

Rabbi Noa Kushner wrote this poignant essay after having welcomed a visiting group of Israeli students, thousands of miles from... more

A quick hit on recognizing our greatest single act of agency. Meant to be shared, especially with the younger... more

When my daughter was in high school, she read a Pulitzer prize winning book called Evicted and was blown away... more

A great note from a woman who needed a lot of help from her husband after surgery. The long... more

You and I both have short lists of people we just cannot bring ourselves to understand. But even in... more

I’ve known a few 17 year-olds in my day, I bet you have too. I hadn’t yet met someone... more

Mary Claire Sorensen created this moving poem to honor her son Joe who was a Philadelphia sports fan, a volleyball... more

The story of how a TV show began…for anyone who is trying to do something hard. (Replay of Ep 37 which... more

Kelly finds herself between two Annas -- Anna Quindlen, the Pulitzer Prize winning writer, and Anna Sale, the host of WNYC's... more

Karen McKinney shared her beautiful essay “An Unmodern Love” with us and we’re so grateful that she did. It’s a... more

It can be really hard to interpret the signals our bodies send us. Does stress mean we should run?... more

Starting in college and not stopping until long after law school, Rich Roll regularly, deliberately, got black out drunk. He... more

Sherri Coale wrote a deeply-felt “you got this” letter to her son Colton in the days before his wedding. ... more

A bit of insight on word choice and climate conversations, culled from a piece by John Marshall at Potential Energy... more

Mary Louise Kelly (host of NPR’s All Things Considered) has been doing some reflecting. What choices did she make... more

Shana Moore’s eulogy is a love letter to her very special mom Marcia Livesay McLean, AKA “Marshy”. Getting to... more

Talk about a Go To thought…here is a clip from an on stage conversation with Rainn Wilson about living and... more

Rainn Wilson (who you might know as Dwight Schrute) is making a serious call for a spiritual revolution based on... more

When her daughter Zoe was departing for college, Shelley Russell wrote her this gorgeous, poetic (and funny) letter. It honors... more

My friend Jennie just lost her friend Katie, which of course makes me think about my friend Liz, who died... more

Dan Harris is a smart, hungry skeptic looking for ideas you can count on in the worst of times, like... more

Today’s episode features an anonymous essay submitted by a teacher who works in New York City. This is for... more

How do people come to change their minds? Hint: it’s not because of some novel argument or just the... more

Krista Tippett, informed by decades of inquiry through her super-project, On Being, sits with Kelly to consider what’s in flux,... more

Jennifer Wallace, who was recently a guest on Kelly Corrigan Wonders, shared this lovely eulogy she wrote for her dear... more

Things we know about touch and why it is so important, from my own recent experiences and through this conversation... more

In large and small ways, mattering is essential. Self esteem depends on our ability to contribute to the lives... more

Nancy Brown, a military spouse of 19 years, wrote this loving tribute for her two best deployment buddies. It... more

Food for thought on America Ferrera’s speech at the climax of Barbie, informed by the great Jia Tolentino (a former... more

First up, a conversation with Katie Couric, who has been in the media business for 40 some years now in... more

It’s often the little things in life that help us to get through the day: a cup of tea in... more

Play this one on repeat. Share widely. Michelle Icard tells me that kids have rights (okay) and these... more

Based on her invaluable playbook for anxious parents everywhere, Michelle Icard thinks with Kelly about mistakes and making sure that... more

Lauren Pauls wrote this tribute to honor her beloved grandmother Gigi. It’s a meditation on her grandma’s hands -... more

Another installment of Kelly’s “Existential Game Show - This is Your Life, What Are You Doing With It?” , recorded... more

When one of her therapy patients said to Dr. Samantha Boardman, “All we ever do is talk about stuff that's... more

This essay has never before been shared outside of Julia Ogden’s family but fortunately for us, she has decided to... more

Kelly continues her “Existential Game Show” recorded live at the Aspen Ideas Festival and puts Braver Angels’ Monica Guzman in... more

We all agree there is work to be done, smart solution-oriented moves to be made for the benefit of all.... more

Every town needs someone like Peter Samson - the person who gives his or her all so that kids in... more

Kelly moderated a live panel event at the Aspen Ideas Festival with fantastic guests including Miroslav Volf, Monica Guzman, James... more

Timothy Goodman has made a great life for himself doing large format art projects like, say, making a basketball court... more

Moira O’Connor submitted this 2-part eulogy written and originally read by her nephews Jonathan and Jamie to honor her dad/their... more

Thanks to a brilliant TED talk by Baratunde Thurston, I’m thinking about how people tell the story of what’s happened.... more

With the demand for excellent mental health care at its all-time peak, it’s a good thing people like Tracy Defina... more

High school junior Clare Murphy wrote this touching, personal and evocative essay for a school assignment. It conveys incredible... more

With our hearts in Ukraine, here’s a story to love about a group of caring people in San Francisco in... more

Let’s say this: the number one driver of happiness across time and culture is meaningful connection to others. So how... more

A touching eulogy for Walter Barry, written by his son Stewart (“Bear Bear"). This is a beautiful tale of... more

Sometimes, the only way to figure out what truly makes a life worthwhile is to get out there and “do... more

In this final episode of our Life Worth Living series, Kelly reflects on some of her favorite book club moments... more