Kelly Corrigan Wonders
Kelly CorriganKelly Corrigan Wonders
Welcome to Kelly Corrigan Wonders, a place for people who like to laugh while they think and find it useful to look closely at ourselves and our weird ways in the hopes that knowing more and feeling more will help us do more and be better. Author of 4 New York Times bestsellers about family life, Kelly wonders about loads of stuff: is knowing more always good? Can we trust our gut? How does change actually happen? We only book nice people who have a sense of humor and know things worth knowing. Each episode ends with Kelly’s shortlist of takeaways, appropriate for refrigerator doors, bulletin boards and notes to your children.
2020
Welcome to Kelly Corrigan Wonders, a place for people who like to laugh while they think and find it useful to look closely at ourselves and our weird ways in the hopes that knowing more and feeling more will help us do more and be better. Author of 4 New York Times bestsellers about family life, Kelly wonders about loads of stuff: is knowing more always good? Can we trust our gut? How does change actually happen? We only book nice people who have a sense of humor and know things worth knowing. Each episode ends with Kelly’s shortlist of takeaways, appropriate for refrigerator doors, bulletin boards and notes to your children.
2020
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Actress, Producer, and Founder on Changing Hollywood—and More
On the women who show us how it's done.
What if the question itself is the problem?
The "can-do" governor of New Mexico on how to get things done
A love letter to the woman who held it all together
Making the Business Case Instead of Just the Moral Case for Change
Philanthropist Olivia Walton speaks about maternal health and economic power
Cultivate the rooms you want to be a part of
There may never be the perfect time to act or speak up.
An Olympic Athlete Who Risked Everything
Anne shows gratitude for her best friend's mom
Why Do We Discount What We Know?
How a mother changed an industry
A son honors his mom's "everyday magic"
Why Goodness Isn't Wholeness
Breaking Free from Cultural Scripts
On Fleeting Connections That Save Us
Research (and instinct) about what actually heals us
The Science of Better Sleep
When Joy and Sadness Live Close Together
What a Robot Teaches Us About Being Human
Travel writer and essayist discusses finding wonder in the ordinary
Nine Lessons from Nine Decades
A film that never stops wondering
Why a Neuroscientist Gave Octopuses MDMA and What She Learned
On the Power of Showing Up
On Self-Belief, Striving and the Dream of Living a Creative Life
On Intuition, Constraints, and Creative Discovery
A Mother's Story About Teenage Depression
A Masterclass in Creative Vision
When Physics Becomes Theater
He Was Captain of the Cousins
How humility shows up on the big screen - part 2
Jesuit priest and gang intervention pioneer on being "other centered"
A little bit of humor can change a life
How humility shows up on the big screen
What humility looks like at the top - with 9-time NBA Champion, coach Steve Kerr
Appreciation for the caregivers
Three Traits Worth Cultivating
Kelly and Kate Bowler look back at the best parts of the past year
On Showing Up No Matter What
A loving kick in the backside for anyone who can’t seem to find their way forward.
Kelly and Kate Bowler review the not-so-great parts of the past year
A Daughter's Tribute to a Lifetime of Care
The Practice of Beholding
Meet my new favorite person...
On Becoming a Daughter Again After Unimaginable Loss
What 700 Episodes Taught Me
Time to think about giving and what lasts.
A Daughter's Words for the Father She Lost at Five
Showing up for those we love over the holidays
A grandmother creates magic in the simplest ways
Kelly shares Episode 7 of 7 of her TED Talks Daily Takeover
Humorous, warm conversation about family, forgiveness and Thanksgiving
Why Showing Up Matters
Kelly shares Episode 6 of 7 of her TED Talks Daily Takeover
When the Job Is Big and the Kid Is Little
A suburban housewife's thoughts in 1974 and what happened next
Kelly shares Episode 5 of 7 of her TED Talks Daily Takeover
The Moments We Lose It and What They Tell Us
A Mother's Tribute After Unthinkable Loss
Kelly shares Episode 4 of 7 of her Ted Talks Daily Takeover
Ep 1 of 3 part series: "Tryhard parents" discuss tracking their kids
A listener decided to donate a kidney after hearing our earlier episode
Kelly shares Episode 3 of 7 of her Ted Talks Daily Takeover
A Young Woman Takes Over a Roofing Company and Excels
A gift of reliable presence.
Kelly shares Episode 2 of 7 of her Ted Talks Daily Takeover
Lessons from a Rodeo Bullfighter on Life and Leadership
A Volleyball Coach Learns What Really Matters
Kelly shares Episode 1 of 7 of her Ted Talks Daily Takeover
The Art of Managing Dreams in Professional Women's Soccer
35 Years of Gratitude for A Caring Coach
On Power, Humility and the Fine Line in Between
From Shark Attack to Paralympic Podium
How One Coach Built Confidence That Lasted Decades
Kelly's daughter Claire on her Camp Kesem experience
How a Chef Rewrote Restaurant Culture
The world's most effusive farewell memo
Kelly shares excerpts from Feel Good Finance by Aja Evans
How Great Editors Shape Great Books
Family was everything to him
We are storytelling beings
Notre Dame head lacrosse coach on character, relationships and leadership
4 poems to slow you down
The Happiness Project - 15 years later
Thanks For Being Here
The Art of Letting Go
We're making it more complicated than it needs to be
He loved all things fantastical - especially the Wizard of Oz
Making Peace with Good Enough
A bonus episode on craft and making from Dave DeSteno's How God Works podcast
Media Pioneer on Resilience and Reinvention
On First Impressions and Second Chances
One moment can change everything
Finding Common Ground Through Creativity
His love language was "being there"
Giving politicians an off-ramp
The human drives that shape who we are
We're all leaving legacies whether we realize it or not
Giving politicians an off-ramp
Embrace a more integrated approach to daily life
People know the real thing when they see it
You've Gotta Let It Out
Financial Fulfillment, Generational Wealth and the Psychology of Money
On Being Needed and Being Present
Fear, Trust and the Art of Stepping Back
Raising Resilient Children in an Anxious World
Susannah Meadows' New York Times Essay "What My Dad Gave Me"
What Big Tobacco's Playbook Teaches Us About Our Health Crisis
Ginni Rommety on Purpose
On Love, Laughter and Living Fully
What Cats Can Teach Us About the Creative Life
Arianna Huffington on Thriving
A father who led with his heart and intuition
Being Open to Possibility and Connection
A Warrior on Resilience
Beautiful Broken Beginnings
From Hatred to Grace
Makers Series
One question can change everything
Why Working with Your Hands Feeds Your Soul
When Making Means Opening Doors for Millions
The stunningly beautiful eulogy which inspired Thanks For Being Here
Getting Specific About Small Acts of Love
The creators of Stick Nation share their thoughts on "making"
A Greek Immigrant's American Story
Simple advice for graduates
Rainn Wilson interviews Kelly
Makers Series (Round 2)
She always took the time to notice
Keep the Scraps
Part 2 of our Hard Conversations series
Kelly honors her one-of-a-kind mom
Kelly shares insights on managing fear from Amanda Ripley's Substack
Part 2 of our Hard Conversations series
Our real legacy is to give it all away
Inspired by the New York Times article by Dodai Stewart
Part 2 of our Hard Conversations series
Cheers to the moms
A special series to benefit Every Mother Counts
Kelly introduces a new podcast from Emma Grede
Kelly and Mary Louise Kelly on stage at the Aspen Ideas Festival
Take the time to tell them how you feel
About Your Mother Series
Part 2 of our Hard Conversations series
A wise kid's perspective on strength and resilience
A special series to benefit Every Mother Counts
Part 2 of our Hard Conversations series
May we all be somebody's "somebody"
A special series to benefit Every Mother Counts
Navigating Life's "In-Between" Spaces
Finding Community and Courage on the Mat
About Your Mother series
A Father Finds Words for the Unimaginable
What if the only way to develop is through massive error?
The Quiet Magic of the Ordinary
About Your Mother series
What makes you feel like you matter?
Lessons from an Unexpected Break
About Your Mother series
Episode 4 of our Makers series
Episode 3 of our Makers series
Witnesses to each other's lives for 40 years
Tips and techniques for sleeping well
Episode 2 of our Makers series
Letters of thanks for a life-saving kidney donation
What America said...
The Healing Power of Creative Expression
Producer Tammy Stedman's tribute to Washington College
Details for our Kelly Corrigan Wonders Live Event - July 31, 2025
A look back at some of our favorite Oscar-winning films
On the relationship between helping and healing
A lifetime of love through emails
Learning how to savor the good stuff
What can we expect? Everything.
Miracles and near-misses on an unforgettable race day
How AI Might Help—or Complicate—Modern Parenting
Hard Conversations: Getting Along When the Stakes are High Series (Ep 5 of 5)
A Son's Tribute to his Honor
Finding Peace During Turbulent Times
Hard Conversations: Getting Along When the Stakes are High Series (Ep 4 of 5)
A World War II Veteran's legacy of love and miracles
A Four-Part Series on Navigating Life's Most Delicate Transitions (Episode #4 of 4)
Hard Conversations: Getting Along When the Stakes are High Series (Ep 3 of 5)
From a rocky relationship to genuine understanding
A Four-Part Series on Navigating Life's Most Delicate Transitions
Hard Conversations: Getting Along When the Stakes are High Series (Ep 2 of 5)
Kelly and Dr. Aliza Pressman Reflect on the LA Fires
A Four-Part Series on Navigating Life's Most Delicate Transitions
Hard Conversations: Getting Along When the Stakes are High Series (Ep 1 of 5)
The Gift of Life
A Four-Part Series on Navigating Life's Most Delicate Transitions
Making peace with your schedule in the new year
A Letter from the High School Hallways
A teaser for next week's longer interview with Kendra Adachi
A turning point and better days ahead
A tribute to small, daily, consistent acts of love
A favorite old book guides Kelly through good-bye
The Happy/Crappy Files
It’s the little things that help us to get through the day
A Happy Skeptic's Guide to Comedy
The Happy/Crappy Files
Gratitude for those doing the essential work of caring for others
Running solo? Not on Dahlia's watch
The Art of Recuperation Series
Finding grace in grief
A look at the magical Camp Kesem
The Art of Recuperation Series
What makes a child feel special?
An interview that feels oh so timely
The Art of Recuperation Series
Remembering the incomparable Liz Laats
We all need it. But how?
The Art of Recuperation Series
A magical reminder of love
Humanity At Its Best
Be the change you want to see in the world
The power of books in children's lives
We have to be more careful when deciding what to put in front of our eyes
Holding on to the positive on even the hardest days
A Memoir on Friendship and Loss
Six takeaways to inspire and motivate
Exploring the powerful lessons found in vulnerability and love
She was "a poem" of a woman
Why and how we make up stories
Stop saying things. Start asking things.
The things we discover in times of need
Collab podcast episode with Eric Zimmer
A rabbi who lives his faith day to day
His love language was being there
Tips for a better relationship with money
Episode 5 of 5 of our Shook By A Book Series
She left the strongest, most indestructible piece of herself behind
Kelly's essay in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Episode 4 of 5 of our Shook By A Book Series
We rise before the sun but we rise together as one.
Honoring Dr. Ruth and advice from Adam Grant
Episode 3 of 5 of our Shook By A Book Series
Accepting a different path and finding love
About Your Mother Series
Episode 2 of 5 of our Shook By A Book Series
Chasing life together should be the stuff of legend
About Your Mother series
Episode 1 of 5 of our Shook By A Book Series
Life is good. Life is to be trusted. Life is to be lived.
How to manage the vitriol
Mother, Wife, Daughters, Collaborators...the influences of Judd Apatow
The joy is in the journey, not the destination.
Thoughts on Bias
How love works....and doesn't.
Fixing society one law at a time..
Honoring a one of a kind doctor
Let the tears flow
Nothing held back here...
It's a little lonely down here at mission control...
Slowing down is an art
When power and kindness intersect...
Laughter, memories and life lessons
What you lose when you lose someone essential
The shocking revelation of one family's involvement as absentee slave owners
It doesn't always go the way we want
Insights from the Aspen Ideas Festival
Principles and practices for bridging differences
A heartfelt farewell to a treasured pet
Cancel culture, tribalism and grief
Do facts or stories get in the way of our politics?
The role of memorials in societal repair
A life-saving bond
Insights from the stage at Aspen Ideas
Change and optimisim
She saw a world of immeasurable beauty
Behind the scenes at TED
We're making it more complicated than it needs to be
Cheerleader, bear-hugger, tear-wiper and biggest fan
What do we always have in common?
Joy, service and good will
Real love might not make that great of a movie but it sure makes for one hell of a life
I learn a lot from listeners. This GOTO is a lesson in humility for me. And maybe for you too. It's about a mistake I suspect a lot of us have made...
The student becomes the teacher
She simply made everything better
10 takeaways to make life more meaningful
A candid conversation with student of morality and well being Krista Tippett
Using imagination to process loss
The loss of of a peer pierces through the tent of safety we live in
what choices do we have and how likely is it that we will make them?
Honoring Mary Corrigan
Why was I in tears? How did I get out of it? Kelly tries smile therapy.
does faith make us healthier?
Ad Idem
the one thing you can always do ...
what the science tells us about food and mood
His currency was of the heart
Could there really be 67 legit reasons for optimism?
what's better for you - an anti-depressant or a daily walking habit?
Dogs just know ...
We crave touch, cradle to grave.
how much does sleep really matter?
a special series to benefit Every Mother Counts
a special series to benefit Every Mother Counts
a special series to benefit Every Mother Counts
a special series to benefit Every Mother Counts
a special series to benefit Every Mother Counts
Connection in the Age of Artificial Intimacy
A celebration of mothers everywhere
Lest we forget what how capable we really are, here are a few tales of surprising growth.
Bids, ratios and other key elements that help us stay together
If you know you're right, do the right thing
What keeps a day on track?
Trial and error is no way to help people suffering from depression
A new way to look at family
A listener helps me get back on track...
Meet my new favorite person...
A loving, funny tribute to a special mom on her 75th
Reaching the tipping point for generous action
Nature, Nurture and Good Enough Parenting
Twenty years feels like forever and a moment.
What makes love last?
Three of the best MDs in the US compare notes on well being...
Things aren't always as we remember them
What you learn when things go very wrong
Kelly continues her conversation with writers on Human Nature with New Yorker staff writer and intellectual phenom, Jia Tolentino.
The "no look pass" is an act of beauty
Women working together...
A good parenting session with the author of The Emotional Lives of Teenagers
Elephants are not that interested in who you think you are
Using all my senses to tie me to the moment.
Fixing society one law at a time...
These girls are angels
What's at stake when we choose our words?
Sharing something special to get your wheels turning
Is possible to find common ground with absolutely anyone, even people we think we hate?
Friends make life better
Counter intuitive idea that just might work...
Three true stories of exquisite forgiveness
You don't know until you know
Tips to keep handy
A heart to heart between new friends...
Sometimes ahead of the times, sometimes behind - he was always present
I'm scared to release next week's Deep Dive...
Sharing something special to get your wheels turning
A bi-sexual atheist and an evangelical walk into a college dorm room...
She made a gift of her whole life
Special surprise interview
Learning how to talk about the big stuff...
Honoring a fellow lover of wonder
Have a beautiful, terrible day...
Bids, ratios and other key elements that help us stay together
Everyday moments were his favorites
Thoughts from relationship experts Julie and John Gottman
High stakes family conflict...
The story behind the story
What Moni Guzman learned on the steep hills of family conflict
Sharing something special to get your wheels turning
Riding Change
Healing doesn't have to mean forgetting
What if discomfort is a positive signal?
So, seriously, what are the principles behind contented living?
A gut course, it is not.
What's the point and promise of wonder?
We're making it more complicated than it needs to be
Who's your girl crush?
Things happen when you dare to share
Faith will waver, love will win and other takeaways from a theology professor
May your brokenness become your greatest strength and your scars your most treasured features
We all need it. But how?
A war correspondent and someone's mother
The simplest things often mean the most
Thoughts on Bias
A proper solution to a problem that threatens everything
Wanting to be better, made him better
Can you really know what's good before it happens?
Stop saying things. Start asking things.
A young family watches and learns
Your parents' regrets need not be yours
Little things add up
A house is never just "a house" when a family loves it
When people are quietly awesome
what is pain? and how should it REALLY be treated?
Finding connection in unexpected places
For most high school seniors, November 1 marks the completion of the most complicated process they've ever managed.
making a life that works
A great reminder of the simple and effective impact of notes
Being open to all kinds of feedback
Seeing past our oldest biases
Quite possibly the most beloved editor ever
remembering a thing a woman told me, something true and unforgettable
What you learn recovering from combat
One of the best love letters ever
a short story about how yoga doesn't always look like poses and oms.
good power in a tired world
They needed to share the names they were holding inside
We have to be more careful when deciding what to put in front of our eyes.
what would it take for everyone to have a fair shot?
the things we discover in times of need
What do we always have in common?
She left me better than she found me
Oh those stories they would tell...
What does it really take? 16 years.
Kelly surrounds herself with podcaster Anna Sale and Pulitzer Prize winner Anna Quindlen to compare notes on how family life is rife with misunderstandings.
A love for the ages
What if discomfort is a positive signal?
From drunk and despondent to world class athlete and #1 bestselling author, Rich Roll has deep experience with how change happens and the takeaways are gold.
Chasing life together should be the stuff of legend
What words kill progress? Which ones move us forward?
A war correspondent and someone's mother
Privilege redefined
When bronze is better than silver
Joy, service and good will
They always knew she could do it.
A go to blessing for hard times
The student becomes the teacher
What really happens in the classroom?
How to manage the vitriol
A candid conversation with student of morality and well being Krista Tippett
You wanted to be worthy of her friendship.
We crave touch, cradle to grave.
What makes you feel like you matter?
A new way to look at family.
What America said...
Meeting at the intersection between law, politics and the media
The little things in life help us to get through it all
What do we owe our children?
What if the only way to develop is through massive error?
Hers were hands that were never idle - they were those of a female warrior
Aspen Files - Alexandra Reeve Givens is in the hot seat
It's time to stop rehashing the past and start planning the future
May your brokenness become your greatest strength and your scars your most treasured features
Aspen Files - Kelly puts Braver Angels' Monica Guzman in the hotseat
What is possible if only we decide it is?
Once you were on his team, you were on it forever
Aspen Files - This is your life...what are you doing with it?
Some highs, some lows, some tips to take with you
How do you eulogize a legend?
Words matter and so does syntax
What the world needs now is compassionate types...
There's nothing quite like seeing so many people you love under one roof.
How do we care for others and self at the same time?
How love works....and doesn't.
A father/son love story
What makes your life worthwhile?
Points worth remembering
She is almost entirely love now
How do we put brokenness to work?
Failure is inevitable so the question is: how good are we at repair?
Father's Day Edition
What makes a grown up a grown up?
Bookclubbing to find out what makes a life worth living
A loving, funny tribute to a special mom on her 75th
Kelly shares a daily favorite
Three women come clean about values, behaviors, habits good and bad
It was a gift of life in more ways than one
It's not always easy to share but at the very least, be honest with yourself
How should we spend our time?
The "no look pass" is an act of beauty
Learning to be a listener...
Kelly and Carvell dive into our problematic need to understand and agree with others in order to accept them and wish them well.
Doing the art show was a "don't look away" moment.
Are we the sum total of everything anyone has ever said about us?
Steve Kerr and W. Kamau Bell on Speaking Up
A celebration of mothers everywhere
Takeaways from life as our mothers' children
How do we work with our mind rather than against it?
When is it okay to walk?
We don't all prepare our children for adulthood in the same way.
Nothing held back here...
He was a light in the world, especially in the darkest places.
What are the stages of recovery?
It's always exhausting not being yourself
Unconditional love makes all the difference
Kelly shares blessings from Kate Bowler + Jessica Richie's beautiful book
What makes someone impossible to forget?
A hard-working mom with grit and love to spare
Need an antidote to sleepwalking through life? Slow down and notice.
A house is never just "a house" when a family loves it
A book that's helping me think clearly...
Maybe there's reason for hope...
The strength and skills of our ancestors are also a part of us.
A look back at Alex's story of transition
Expert guidance to cut through all the noise
Slow down March, keep remembering...
When it was least expected, she felt like "home"
We can't let the numbers define us
What does it take to bring civics alive at Spelman? Not much...
A family man who made life fun
Need to feel like the next generation has it in hand?
Do philosophy majors have fewer midlife crises?
The story behind the story
Can you really know what's good before it happens?
A good parenting session with the author of The Emotional Lives of Teenagers
Kids remember the good stuff too
What does a clinician have to say about using medication?
Amanda Ripley on Breaking Free from Conflict
She left the strongest, most indestructible piece of herself behind
Maybe it's time to stop...
Why learn design if you're not gonna be an architect?
A commitment to others brought them together
When people are quietly awesome
Let's talk about sex
It's the 1 Year Anniversary of Thanks For Being Here
The kids have things to tell us...
Why are so many CEOs philosophy majors?
A friendship for the ages
What are we getting out of outrage?
Medicine rooted in curiosity and empathy...
Real love might not make that great of a movie but it sure makes for one hell of a life.
What if discomfort is a positive signal?
How love works....and doesn't.
Tell the people who matter to you that you love them everyday.
What makes love last?
How jazz, improv and curiosity can make any kind of work better.
She made everyone feel valued and loved - that was her superpower.
Will they hate you for setting boundaries? Maybe.
What don't we know?
A moment of light in all of the dark
What's the point and promise of wonder?
Are the ways we typically think and learn getting in the way of our ability to make more refined choices?
Stacey's snowy Eastern Shore memories of her special dad Frank.
Lest we forget what how capable we really are, here are a few tales of surprising growth.
Counting blessings...
Kelly's editor Andy's beautiful eulogy for his father.
A quick hit of good + useful news, like a long, happy voicemail from Kelly to you.
It's okay to say some things are crap.
A tribute to small, daily, consistent acts of love.
One of our very best is leaving her day job...
Meeting at the intersection between law, politics and the media
A great reminder of the simple and effective impact of notes
What keeps a day on track?
What's the overlap between genius, catastrophe and do gooders?
His presence always said, "Welcome, I have been waiting for you".
Learning from Prince and Dickens...
Celebrated for her raw, hilarious accounts of stumbling toward her best self, Anne Lamott is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 20 books, many of which delve into her faith.
Family traditions remind us where we came from and where we want to go.
What's on your list?
After more than one nearly fatal diagnosis, Robin Roberts has earned her point of view.
How liberating must it be to be authentic and true to yourself 100% of the time?
We all need it. But how?
How can we educate more people for the greater good?
His currency was of the heart.
Learning to change the channel in our heads...
What's happening on campus?
We rise before the sun but we rise together as one.
Talking about suicide with kids
What's more revealing than talking about a novel?
A tough job can change a person - and a life.
The differences between love, like and respect
If we cared more about students, would they learn less or more?
Her strength will always stay.
How can we weather all the rejection that comes with teenagers?
Do you love someone who is getting a little old? Do you wonder how to care for them better?
Cheerleader, bear-hugger, tear-wiper and biggest fan.
What's fair game and what's off limits?
If hurt people hurt people, do cherished people cherish people?
It takes a true lady to raise a gentleman.
Do teenagers really care what their parents think?
History, philosophy, football games and tailgates...
She spread her infectious joy through life.
Replay: Kelly wonders what awe is all about.
What is Yale teaching in the Life Worth Living class?
Twenty years feels like forever and a moment.
Replay: women getting what they want in the workplace
What's the point of college in 2022?
The world needs more of the good guys and David was one of them.
Replay: Way back in my 20's, I read a story by M Scott Peck about some work he did on an Army base that has stuck with me ever since...
Conversations about what to expect from college
What a blessing it is to have someone in the world who believes in you more than you believe in yourself.
Spending, saving, wasting, donating...
Replay: Transitions in family life -- including the big one of becoming an empty nester.
Laugh more, hug longer, learn everything possible and find a way to soar.
Are kids allowed to quit?
Replay: Getting our heads right for 2022, starting with a parenting reset
He took in the beauty and was clearly grateful for it.
Who's emergency is it?
Knowing what's happening on the inside
The joy is in the journey, not the destination.
Coaching, mentoring and letting go
Tik Tok is not all nonsense...
The strengths and skills of our ancestors are also a part of us.
Reasons to believe in a better future
How the kids do it...
She has a way of seeing the good when sometimes you can’t.
On connection, contribution, challenge
Who will lead us into a safer future?
There's nothing quite like seeing so many people you love under one roof.
We are worrying, a lot, and it is costing us
A teenager and a climate scientist have some good news to share
Kids are like the best book ever written.
A delightful poem by former poet laureate of the US Billy Collins
What's working, who's doing it and how can we help?
People know the real thing when they see it.
Words matter and so does syntax
How'd You Do That?
The secret to lasting joy: borrow it from others and keep it forever.
Why I always wanted a big family
Our third installment of How'd You Do That?
He truly enjoyed and treasured time itself.
Using all my senses to tie me to the moment.
When the receptionist buys the company
A woman of action, not words - she was pure magic.
Sharing Infertility, Abandonment, Depression, Panic Attacks, Guilt
What the world needs now is compassionate types...
How do you eulogize a legend? A special 2-parter for Father's Day.
Do you have the guts to listen?
This is not a cliche: love will save you.
A terrible double loss in a terribly lonely time.
How to Believe in Change in a World That Doesn't Seem Open to Change
Comedian, Maker and Entrepreneur Lilly Singh
We can do great things with love.
Could there really be 67 legit reasons for optimism?
What can we expect? Everything.
She made a gift of her whole life.
How do people do it?
After more than one nearly fatal diagnosis, Robin Roberts has earned her point of view.
College roommates who became life-long best friends.
Thoughts on north stars
Worldwide and person-by-person, how does good help happen?
"Be Here Now" - wise words and the motto of Jen's friend Hallie
What are the natural enemies of curiosity and what is curiosity's best friend?
Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells The Story
Honoring a special mom on Mother's Day - she was a bright and warm light in this world.
By request for Mother's day
How to get our heads right for each transition
Kelly B's tribute to her mom's fierce will, strong guidance and enormous love
The strange ways we find to say I see you.
Mother, Wife, Daughters, Collaborators...the influences of Judd Apatow
Stacey's snowy Eastern Shore memories of her special dad Frank.
What can we learn from people who do "crazy" things?
If hurt people hurt people, do cherished people cherish people?
Jody honors her dad Bob, who loved his roles as a pilot, father and grandfather.
We are getting dangerously good at being half there.
On the relationship between helping and healing
All four of John McNulty's children write and share a eulogy for him.
How do we care for others and self at the same time?
Talking hope, optimism and art with Anna Deavere Smith
Meghan’s loving eulogy for her baby girl Maggie.
What does it really take? 16 years.
The Men We Love with Jen Hatmaker
Steph's Husband
Mental Health Check on A Word I Wish I Hadn't Said So Damn Much
What beliefs are we clinging to? What might we reconsider?
Jody's Mom
Will getting what you want be a good thing or a bad thing?
What makes and breaks adult friendship?
Thanks for Being Here
Hope is not illogical.
Riding Change
Sheri honors her vibrant co-worker and dear friend Marque.
What is the point of high school sports?
Two unstoppable masters of their craft talk about staying the course
Shawn remembers her father Dave and why being stubborn isn't such a bad thing.
Seeing my mother in a new way
Stories about learning to say the unpopular, inconvenient and essential truths
19 year-old Harry lovingly remembers his younger brother Charlie.
Inspiration for when your kid takes an interest in something that is totally beyond you.
Whether it's advocating for equal pay for women in big wave surfing or birth control for women in developing nations, Bianca Valenti and Melinda French Gates won't quit.
Kelly's editor Andy's beautiful eulogy for his father.
On what's wrong with natural athletes and innate talent
Steve Kerr and W. Kamau Bell on Speaking Up
What can happen when we see piano lessons or lacrosse practice as something other than what they are
Do you love someone who is getting a little old? Do you wonder how to care for them better?
Three things we need to take a serious break from...
You might think it's optional but Catherine Price says it's required
It is not unreasonable to hope for progress. Really.
At the very least, may we notice what the Internet is doing to us...
How Our Children Might Remember Us In The End
A tuba, a grandma, a bag of chips
3 follow-on takeaways about overparenting
Getting our heads right for 2022, starting with a parenting reset
Way back in my 20's, I read a story by M Scott Peck about some work he did on an Army base that has stuck with me ever since...
Kelly listens in tears as Anthony Ray Hinton tells her the best story she's ever heard
Things happen when you dare to share
Kelly talks with celebrated writer and wise man George Saunders about virtue, vice and the human condition.
Where do our expectations of consistency and resolution come from?
Nothing soothes the night terrors like discovering you bounce
6 years ago, my friend died. This is the eulogy I wrote for her.
Thinking about all the people taking care of all the other people
Backstage at Kelly Corrigan Wonders, we winnow down our top picks with founding producer, Susan George
Expanded thoughts on why and how we forgive
Time to think about giving and what lasts
Inspired by a Facebook comment from a woman named Annie, Kelly does deep dive on the magic of nudges.
Thoughts on what makes the holidays bust, bend and become.
Checking my assumptions on what I can and cannot know
Thoughts on what makes the holidays bust, bend and become
What if we pick our emotions when we set our expectations?
Kelly reflects on the meaning of life. Seriously, that's what this episode is. We pulled takeaways and excerpts from some of the best conversations we had in the belief series and came to some big time conclusions.
Why did I leave a really good life for a thousand unknowns?
Kelly talks karma, arranged marriage, yoga and ever present divinity with Suhag Shukla, of the Hindu American Foundation.
For most high school seniors, November 1 marks the completion of the most complicated process they've ever managed.
Lest we forget what how capable we really are, here are a few tales of surprising growth.
Kelly gets personal with Asma Udden, a lawyer who fights at every level to secure the foundational right of America -- religious freedom.
Thoughts on the virtue of making something, anything
An evangelical pastor and a Muslim Imam show us how easy it can be for two people from very different faiths to be dear friends.
Thoughts on how we map the landscape of places no one we know has ever been.
Kelly and Johann Hari explore why connections form the essence of humanity and how losing connections can have dire consequences.
An outtake from my last book, Tell Me More, about the magic words: oh well.
Rabbi Michael Lezak is one of the most enthusiastic and self deprecating religious thought leaders you will find. He and Kelly go deep on the joy of service.
Kelly wonders what awe is all about.
In an episode like no other, Kelly talks with Anthony Ray Hinton, an American activist and author who was wrongly convicted of murder in Alabama in 1985, and exonerated after 30 years in prison.
Why was I in tears? How did I get out of it? Kelly tries smile therapy.
Celebrated for her raw, hilarious accounts of stumbling toward her best self, Anne Lamott is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 20 books, many of which delve into her faith.
Takeaways from a recent zoom call about women getting what they want in the workplace.
Known to the world as Dwight Schrute from the Office, the real Rainn Wilson is a deep thinker, writer, producer and a faithful follower of the Baha'i faith.
Inspiration for when your kid takes an interest in something that is totally beyond you.
Kelly kicks off a new series on BELIEF, delving into topics like the meaning of life, finding purpose, why faith, service and gratitude matter, and more with MIchael Murray.
Way back in my 20s, I read a story by M Scott Peck about some work he did on an Army base that has stuck with me ever since...
As we conclude our "Mind the Gap" series, Kelly talks with parenting expert Dr. Lisa Damour. Writer Will Leitch shares his thoughts on his relationship with his children and his own parents.
Thinking about the difference between "right" and "wrong" vs. "helpful" and "unhelpful" with my old friend Tracy Tuttle.
Kelly continues the "Mind the Gap" series with writer and podcaster, Manoush Zomorodi as they look at well-being and self care through the lens of different generations.
A quick hit of good + useful news, like a long, happy voicemail from Kelly to you.
As a part of our "Mind the Gap" series, Kelly and LinkedIn's Meg Garlinghouse discuss the meaning of work, while Kelly and writer Nir Eyal take a look at how being indistractable is the new superpower.
A quick hit of good + useful news, like a long, happy voicemail from Kelly to you.
Tressie McMillan Cottom on New Money and Old Habits
A quick hit of good + useful news, like a long happy voicemail from Kelly to you.
Kelly gets serious with SNL star Cecily Strong about the loss of her beloved cousin, as well as her pandemic love story.
Think of this like a long voicemail from Kelly about something awesome she tripped over this week.
Kelly wraps up her series "Love Stories for a Weary World," with Medium writer Julio Vincent Gambuto. A surprising look at how Covid changed the rituals of dating and gave one couple clarity on what matters.
Kelly and Medium writer Michael Thompson share the stories of meeting their spouses for the first time as we continue the series "Love Stories for a Weary World."
Continuing our series "Love Stories for a Weary World," Kelly and renowned writer Susan Orlean talk about transitions in family life -- including the big one of becoming an empty nester.
Kelly kicks off a new series "Love Stories for a Weary World," with the disarmingly honest writer and speaker, Sarah Stankorb.
Dani Shapiro and Kelly talk about the weight of knowing more, the temporary bliss of ignorance and why, in the end, what we don't know does hurt us.
Kate Bowler and Kelly wonder about the iconic adage: Everything happens for a reason and if that well-meaning promise might be doing more harm than good.
Kelly talks with Imbolo Mbue about her immigrant journey from Cameroon to New Jersey, and ultimately to Oprah's house.
Kelly shares a graduation speech, a conversation about takeaways from high school with her daughter and a special reading with Oscar winning actress Helen Hunt.
Kelly and Carvell dive into our problematic need to understand and agree with others in order to accept them and wish them well.
Austin Channing Brown is tired of explaining what it's like to be black, but her insight and passion is irresistible. Here's a conversation that will linger in your mind as much for the points of connections as for the points of tension.
Amanda Ripley on Breaking Free from Conflict
Karen Moon on Loving Your Family through the Next Stage of the Pandemic
Kelly talks with beloved podcaster, writer and activitist Jen Hatmaker about finding meaningful connection with others and bouncing back from hard things.
In honor of teachers everywhere after an especially hard year, Kelly talks with Oakland Unified's Teacher of the year, Tontra Love.
Kelly and Yale philosopher, Dean Tamar Gendler share insights on human nature from ancient philosophers that have stood the test of time.
Kelly talks with Brit Bennett on Curiosity, Categorizing People and Finding Comfort in Old Friends
Kelly continues her conversation with writers on Human Nature with New Yorker staff writer and intellectual phenom, Jia Tolentino.
Kelly continues a series with writers on Human Nature with renowned Canadian poet, novelist and activist Margaret Atwood.
In this new series on Human Nature, Kelly talks with celebrated author George Saunders about virtue, vice and the human condition.
Kelly concludes her series with Anna Quindlen and Anna Sale by reading and riffing on the joys and challenges of the work we're paid for and the work of family life.
Grudges, overbearing "wisdom" and selfish behavior are all hallmarks of even the most functional families. Kelly asks Anna Quindlen and Anna Sale about mistakes they've made in family life, and how they've found and given forgiveness.
Kelly asks Pulitzer Prize winner Anna Quindlen and award winning podcaster Anna Sale about what and how they have grieved in family life. Together, they share passages and riff about how to find meaning in loss.
Kelly talks about changing dynamics in family life -- from sex to getting older to seeing our mothers in new ways -- with Pulitzer Prize winning writer, Anna Quindlen, and podcaster and new author, Anna Sale.
Kelly surrounds herself with podcaster Anna Sale and Pulitzer Prize winner Anna Quindlen to compare notes on how family life is rife with misunderstandings.
How does change really happen, for a person or a family., for an organization or a system, for a culture or a country? After listening to 22 different points of view, Kelly has pulled together a set of takeaways for the long haul.
The witness statement of Melinda Gates, after decades of global travel, research, philanthropy and no shortage of heartache.
Between Tara Westover (Educated) and Kelly's daughter Georgia talking about how college changes a person, this would be worth your time. Add an MIT drop out who started his own college and the woman who runs higher education for California and you are guarnateed insights.
No mother of a teen is not at least a little afraid of eating disorders. Here's a therapist and a patient talking openly about triggers and recovery. A must listen. IMPORTANT NOTE: This episode does include references to eating disorders which some listeners may find troubling. Listener discretion is advised.
We know. You've never heard of Sam Vaughn or Devone Boggan. But they are just the people to listen to now, as we consider how to bring peace into American neighborhoods and hearts.
Kelly talks to Alex, a 15 year old who is transitioning from a girl to a boy, and his mother about making a big, necessary change.
Barbara Lee went through college as a single mother on public assistance getting her college degree. A lifetime later, she is a 74 year old newlywed back in the House of Representatives for her 11th term. Kelly asks her how big change happens.
Kelly talks to Lori Gottlieb (author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone) and her friend Tracy about their long and winding roads to motherhood.
Kelly breaks down the year that nearly broke us, and finds some weirdly encouraging takeaways.
Kelly, her mom and an upbeat Muslim named Eboo Patel talk about how a religious orientation changes behavior, for better and worse.
Kelly talks with the delightful and irrepressible scientist Katharine Hayhoe talk about how our relationship to the planet is changing and what might make us all want solar panels, electric cars and meatless hamburgers.
Love, Loss and Remembering
In the wake of losing her father and her friend, Kelly wonders about what the very best death can be with bestselling author and palliative care doc BJ Miller.
From drunk and despondent to world class athlete and #1 bestselling author, Rich Roll has deep experience with how change happens and the takeaways are gold.
Kelly heads to UC Berkeley to talk to famous happiness nerd (and renowned psychologist) Dacher Keltner about human nature and why we keep getting ourselves into the same old messes.
Wanda Holland Greene and Kelly marvel at three true stories of exquisite forgiveness.
Just about everyone wildly overestimates their own self awareness. Wanda Holland Greene and Kelly consider the potential impact of deep self knowledge
Wanda Holland Greene and Kelly get pretty pumped up about what areas of agency are always available to every one of us in a year when it sorta feels like we have zero control.
Wanda Holland Greene and Kelly spend election day wondering if it is possible to find common ground with absolutely anyone, even people we think we hate.
Annie Jean Baptiste and Kelly challenge that iconic bit of conventional wisdom: trust your gut.
Dani Shapiro and Kelly talk about the weight of knowing more, the temporary bliss of ignorance and why, in the end, what we don't know does hurt us.
Nadia Bolz Weber and Kelly confess to giving up on all sorts of things and wonder if knowing when and how to throw in the towel is an underrated life skill.
Kate Bowler and Kelly wonder about the iconic adage: Everything happens for a reason and if that well-meaning promise might be doing more harm than good.
What do you talk about on this show anyway? How’s the vibe, the pace, the energy? You are 94 seconds away from knowing just enough about Kelly Corrigan Wonders to give it a listen.
Loss and the Craving for Answers
April 14, 20236min 10sec
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.
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