Samantha Boardman

When one of her therapy patients said to Dr. Samantha Boardman, “All we ever do is talk about stuff that's going wrong in my life - and we don't talk about much else", it inspired a change in the way she approached her practice and eventually inspired her to write Everyday Vitality: Turning Stress into Strength. Based on 15 years of experience as a psychiatrist, Samantha gives Kelly some practical, achievable strategies that are life-enhancing and resilience-building.  No more rehashing the past and what went wrong in an effort to find a sense of well-being - the better strategy is to cultivate vitality and transform each new day into a more fulfilling one.

When one of her therapy patients said to <a href="https://positiveprescription.com/about/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Samantha Boardman</a>, “All we ever do is talk about stuff that's going wrong in my life - and we don't talk about much else", it inspired a change in the way she approached her practice and eventually inspired her to write <a href="https://positiveprescription.com/everyday-vitality/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Everyday Vitality: Turning Stress into Strength.</a> Based on 15 years of experience as a psychiatrist, Samantha gives Kelly some practical, achievable strategies that are life-enhancing and resilience-building. No more rehashing the past and what went wrong in an effort to find a sense of well-being - the better strategy is to cultivate vitality and transform each new day into a more fulfilling one.

Emotional Resilience and Vitality with Dr. Samantha Boardman

This essay has never before been shared outside of Julia Ogden’s family but fortunately for us, she has decided to share it with the Thanks For Being Here audience.  It’s a look at her daughter’s OCD diagnosis and how managing a mental illness has challenged and changed their entire family - including in some unexpected and very positive ways.

This essay has never before been shared outside of Julia Ogden’s family but fortunately for us, she has decided to share it with the Thanks For Being Here audience. It’s a look at her daughter’s OCD diagnosis and how managing a mental illness has challenged and changed their entire family - including in some unexpected and very positive ways.

Thanks For Being Here  Julia Ogden's Essay "An Ornament Story"

Kelly continues her “Existential Game Show” recorded live at the Aspen Ideas Festival and puts Braver Angels’ Monica Guzman in the hot seat.  Monica digs deep to answer Kelly’s questions and touches on how her infant son’s brain surgery transformed her and her family into the people they needed to be in that difficult moment, the motivating force of envy and being responsible ultimately to herself. Special thanks to the Aspen Ideas Festival, Tricia Johnson and Kara Stein.

Kelly continues her “Existential Game Show” recorded live at the Aspen Ideas Festival and puts <a href="https://braverangels.org/author/moniguzmangmail-com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Braver Angels’ Monica Guzman</a> in the hot seat. Monica digs deep to answer Kelly’s questions and touches on how her infant son’s brain surgery transformed her and her family into the people they needed to be in that difficult moment, the motivating force of envy and being responsible ultimately to herself. Special thanks to the Aspen Ideas Festival, Tricia Johnson and Kara Stein.

Transformational Tough Times

Jacqueline Novogratz

We all agree there is work to be done, smart solution-oriented moves to be made for the benefit of all.  But who will do it?  Who will walk away from richer paths and devote their life to growing businesses that operate for the greater good?  Jacqueline Novogratz will.  This is one of the quickest and most passionate people I’ve met in a long time.  She has 20+ years of experience working with entrepreneurs across the world.  This conversation is her take on the how and why of making big bold moves.

We all agree there is work to be done, smart solution-oriented moves to be made for the benefit of all. But who will do it? Who will walk away from richer paths and devote their life to growing businesses that operate for the greater good? Jacqueline Novogratz will. This is one of the quickest and most passionate people I’ve met in a long time. She has 20+ years of experience working with entrepreneurs across the world. This conversation is her take on the how and why of making big bold moves.

Thinking Big with Jacqueline Novogratz

Every town needs someone like Peter Samson - the person who gives his or her all so that kids in the community can have a fun and safe outlet, a place to play sports, meet friends and learn some of life’s biggest lessons.  Today’s episode features a eulogy written by Jack Brennan for his friend Peter Samson.  Peter was as loyal and committed as they come and started a lacrosse league for boys 30 years ago in the community where Kelly grew up.  He was beloved by those who knew him and his legacy lives on through countless kids and families who were the beneficiaries of his devotion and generosity of spirit.

Every town needs someone like Peter Samson - the person who gives his or her all so that kids in the community can have a fun and safe outlet, a place to play sports, meet friends and learn some of life’s biggest lessons. Today’s episode features a eulogy written by Jack Brennan for his friend Peter Samson. Peter was as loyal and committed as they come and started a lacrosse league for boys 30 years ago in the community where Kelly grew up. He was beloved by those who knew him and his legacy lives on through countless kids and families who were the beneficiaries of his devotion and generosity of spirit.

Thanks For Being Here  Jack's Eulogy for Peter Samson

James Ijames

Kelly moderated a live panel event at the Aspen Ideas Festival with fantastic guests including Miroslav Volf, Monica Guzman, James Ijames, Alexandra Reeve-Givens and Rainn Wilson. Using questions from the book Life Worth Living, Kelly created a game-show format and put each of her guests in the hot-seat - resulting in some very honest, thought-provoking and funny responses. Today’s episode features deep truths from the creator of Broadway’s brilliant smash hit Fat Ham, playwright James Ijames. Special thanks to the Aspen Ideas Festival, Tricia Johnson and Kara Stein. This event was recorded in June 2023, prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Kelly moderated a live panel event at the <a href="https://www.aspenideas.org/pages/about-the-aspen-ideas-festival" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Aspen Ideas Festival</a><a href="https://www.aspenideas.org/pages/about-the-aspen-ideas-festival" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a>with fantastic guests including Miroslav Volf, Monica Guzman, James Ijames, Alexandra Reeve-Givens and Rainn Wilson. Using questions from the book Life Worth Living, Kelly created a game-show format and put each of her guests in the hot-seat - resulting in some very honest, thought-provoking and funny responses. Today’s episode features deep truths from the creator of Broadway’s brilliant smash hit Fat Ham, playwright James Ijames. Special thanks to the Aspen Ideas Festival, Tricia Johnson and Kara Stein. This event was recorded in June 2023, prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Kelly's Existential Game Show with "Fat Ham's" James Ijames

Timothy Goodman

Timothy Goodman has made a great life for himself doing large format art projects like, say, making a basketball court for Kevin Durant, or small format masterpieces like a shoe for Nike, or the most personal work, a graphic memoir called I Always Think It’s Forever.  He smiles when he talks and is unusually candid and I loved being with him so much I followed him home to meet his girlfriend and see his studio and basically try to cement our new friendship.  This is for the people who have creative hearts and the people who love those creatives.

Timothy Goodman has made a great life for himself doing large format art projects like, say, making a basketball court for Kevin Durant, or small format masterpieces like a shoe for Nike, or the most personal work, a graphic memoir called I Always Think It’s Forever. He smiles when he talks and is unusually candid and I loved being with him so much I followed him home to meet his girlfriend and see his studio and basically try to cement our new friendship. This is for the people who have creative hearts and the people who love those creatives.

Timothy Goodman on Creative Life

Moira O’Connor submitted this 2-part eulogy written and originally read by her nephews Jonathan and Jamie to honor her dad/their grandfather, George Hebbel.  George was the father of 5, grandfather of 13, and great grandfather of 14. He was a man who was larger than life: a fighter pilot, a water skier who skied with a pipe casually clenched in his teeth, an ocean kayaker able to hoist his kayak on top of his Jeep well into his 80’s.  However it was the smaller, quieter moments in George’s life that truly made him a legend: the many times he reached out to help someone in need, the situations in which he simply showed up, his ability to let others love him. He was a man who was always there for his family and friends, right up to the very end. (Replay of Ep 19 which originally aired on 6/10/22.)

Moira O’Connor submitted this 2-part eulogy written and originally read by her nephews Jonathan and Jamie to honor her dad/their grandfather, George Hebbel. George was the father of 5, grandfather of 13, and great grandfather of 14. He was a man who was larger than life: a fighter pilot, a water skier who skied with a pipe casually clenched in his teeth, an ocean kayaker able to hoist his kayak on top of his Jeep well into his 80’s. However it was the smaller, quieter moments in George’s life that truly made him a legend: the many times he reached out to help someone in need, the situations in which he simply showed up, his ability to let others love him. He was a man who was always there for his family and friends, right up to the very end. (Replay of Ep 19 which originally aired on 6/10/22.)

Thanks For Being Here  Jonathan & Jamie's Pop-Pop George

Thanks to a brilliant TED talk by Baratunde Thurston, I’m thinking about how people tell the story of what’s happened.  I also reached out to my neuroscientist friend Lisa Feldman Barrett to ask her about how the brain processes language.  It all sounds very heady and it is, a little, but it’s also something worth thinking about since we live in language. (Replay of Ep 52 which originally aired on July 15, 2022)

Thanks to a brilliant TED talk by <a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/baratunde_thurston_how_to_deconstruct_racism_one_headline_at_a_time?language=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Baratunde Thurston</a>, I’m thinking about how people tell the story of what’s happened. I also reached out to my neuroscientist friend <a href="https://lisafeldmanbarrett.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lisa Feldman Barrett</a> to ask her about how the brain processes language. It all sounds very heady and it is, a little, but it’s also something worth thinking about since we live in language. (Replay of Ep 52 which originally aired on July 15, 2022)

The Power of Word Choice

With the demand for excellent mental health care at its all-time peak, it’s a good thing people like Tracy Defina dared to go back to school — for many years — to get a PhD in counseling. This is the story of how she pulled off this enormous achievement in the middle of life already teeming with to-dos. My conversation with Tracy is the first of a 4-part series called How’d You Do That? With women who made radical changes to their lives well after most of their peers had settled into a given way of life. (Replay)

With the demand for excellent mental health care at its all-time peak, it’s a good thing people like Tracy Defina dared to go back to school — for many years — to get a PhD in counseling. This is the story of how she pulled off this enormous achievement in the middle of life already teeming with to-dos. My conversation with Tracy is the first of a 4-part series called How’d You Do That? With women who made radical changes to their lives well after most of their peers had settled into a given way of life. (Replay)

How a Person Becomes a Therapist

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.  A former newspaper columnist and four time bestselling author, 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.

Clare Murphy

High school junior Clare Murphy wrote this touching, personal and evocative essay for a school assignment.  It conveys incredible warmth and deep affection for a very special lake house and also the large, loving family that inhabits it each summer. (Replay of Ep 25 which originally aired on 7/31/22).

High school junior Clare Murphy wrote this touching, personal and evocative essay for a school assignment. It conveys incredible warmth and deep affection for a very special lake house and also the large, loving family that inhabits it each summer. (Replay of Ep 25 which originally aired on 7/31/22).

Thanks For Being Here Clare Murphy's Essay "Love is Thicker Than Lake Water"

With our hearts in Ukraine, here’s a story to love about a group of caring people in San Francisco in a time of uncertainty who showed the world how to lean in. (Replay of Ep 38 which originally aired on 4/8/22).

With our hearts in Ukraine, here’s a story to love about a group of caring people in San Francisco in a time of uncertainty who showed the world how to lean in. (Replay of Ep 38 which originally aired on 4/8/22).

Mental Health Check on Picking Other over Self

Helen Fisher

Let’s say this: the number one driver of happiness across time and culture is meaningful connection to others. So how do you get it and how do you keep it? Dr. Helen Fisher has been studying love for 5 decades. 5. That’s a lot of information. Share this conversation with the people you love. Tons of takeaways that you can integrate immediately. (Replay of Ep 124 which originally aired in January 2023) Take Helen’s personality quiz and figure out who you are…and who you aren’t. Funding for this episode was provided by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center as part of its "Expanding Awareness of the Science of Intellectual Humility" initiative, supported by the John Templeton Foundation

Let’s say this: the number one driver of happiness across time and culture is meaningful connection to others. So how do you get it and how do you keep it? Dr. Helen Fisher has been studying love for 5 decades. 5. That’s a lot of information. Share this conversation with the people you love. Tons of takeaways that you can integrate immediately. (Replay of Ep 124 which originally aired in January 2023) Take Helen’s<a href="https://theanatomyoflove.com/relationship-quizzes/helen-fishers-personality-test/personality-test-1/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> personality quiz</a> and figure out who you are…and who you aren’t. Funding for this episode was provided by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center as part of its "Expanding Awareness of the Science of Intellectual Humility" initiative, supported by the John Templeton Foundation

Love, Sex and Connection with Dr. Helen Fisher 

A touching eulogy for Walter Barry, written by his son Stewart (“Bear Bear").  This is a beautiful tale of family bonds, of three sons who loved to play sports (even inside the family home to a refrain of “Boys take it outside!”) and of a father who led with his heart and intuition. Walter Barry stuck to his guns even when his values and standards weren’t popular, brought joy with his humor, modeled hard work and humility and kept loving his sons, despite their “defects”. 

A touching eulogy for Walter Barry, written by his son Stewart (“Bear Bear"). This is a beautiful tale of family bonds, of three sons who loved to play sports (even inside the family home to a refrain of “Boys take it outside!”) and of a father who led with his heart and intuition. Walter Barry stuck to his guns even when his values and standards weren’t popular, brought joy with his humor, modeled hard work and humility and kept loving his sons, despite their “defects”.

Thanks For Being Here  Stewart Barry's Eulogy for His Dad Walter

Sometimes, the only way to figure out what truly makes a life worthwhile is to get out there and “do it”.  Yale student Cooper Newsom wrote an essay,“The Great Human Road Race; Or, the Lost Virtue of Corniness” as his final paper in Yale’s Life Worth Living class and it’s a comedic look at how corny but ultimately fun, running a road race can be.  Dancing to blaring music first thing in the morning, running in 45 degree weather with people from all walks of life, a celebratory beer at 8:45am - it’s the small things in life that help to create a big, beautiful life worth living.

Sometimes, the only way to figure out what truly makes a life worthwhile is to get out there and “do it”. Yale student Cooper Newsom wrote an essay,“The Great Human Road Race; Or, the Lost Virtue of Corniness” as his final paper in Yale’s Life Worth Living class and it’s a comedic look at how corny but ultimately fun, running a road race can be. Dancing to blaring music first thing in the morning, running in 45 degree weather with people from all walks of life, a celebratory beer at 8:45am - it’s the small things in life that help to create a big, beautiful life worth living.

Little Things That Create a Big, Beautiful Life

In this final episode of our Life Worth Living series, Kelly reflects on some of her favorite book club moments with Claire Danes and Kate Bowler and offers takeaways and a list of practices to help us stay on track. Based on Life Worth Living: A Guide to What Matters Most from authors Miroslav Volf, Matthew Croasmun and Ryan McAnnally-Linz. Visit lifeworthliving.com/kelly to access a study guide to help you work through the book.  Special thanks to the Warren Smoot Carter III and Meagan Carter Charitable Fund.

In this final episode of our Life Worth Living series, Kelly reflects on some of her favorite book club moments with Claire Danes and Kate Bowler and offers takeaways and a list of practices to help us stay on track. Based on Life Worth Living: A Guide to What Matters Most from authors Miroslav Volf, Matthew Croasmun and Ryan McAnnally-Linz. Visit <a href="https://www.lifeworthlivingbook.com/kelly" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">lifeworthliving.com/kelly </a>to access a study guide to help you work through the book. Special thanks to the Warren Smoot Carter III and Meagan Carter Charitable Fund.

Kelly's Life Worth Living Takeaways

Today’s Thanks For Being Here was submitted by Heather Hoskeer.  It’s a poignant, beautifully-written essay called, “My Mom and Three Writers I Love” and it honors Heather’s mother, who she lost to Alzheimer’s disease.

Today’s Thanks For Being Here was submitted by Heather Hoskeer. It’s a poignant, beautifully-written essay called, “My Mom and Three Writers I Love” and it honors Heather’s mother, who she lost to Alzheimer’s disease.

Thanks For Being Here Heather's Essay "My Mom and Three Writers She Loved"

Today’s For the Good of the Order is a speech that Kelly gave at Camp Kesem, a very special place that welcomes loss, friendship, sorrow and new beginnings equally.  A place that shows us that we can be damaged and heavy-hearted, but still buoyant and insightful and very useful to one another. 

Today’s For the Good of the Order is a speech that Kelly gave at Camp Kesem, a very special place that welcomes loss, friendship, sorrow and new beginnings equally. A place that shows us that we can be damaged and heavy-hearted, but still buoyant and insightful and very useful to one another.

Loss and New Beginnings

Claire Danes

Kate Bowler

Sadly, this is the last conversation with Claire Danes and Kate Bowler about what makes life worth all the trouble, worry and suffering.  In this freewheeling ride, we dig into just how inevitable personal ethical failure is and therefore, what does repair require.  Like, how good are you at apologizing?  Have you really accepted the people you love — as they are — or are you still trying to change them?  How do you keep yourself and your choices aligned with your values?  Enjoy the honesty.  Share widely.  We all need to stay in touch with these fundamental questions about how we live. Based on Life Worth Living: A Guide to What Matters Most from authors Miroslav Volf, Matthew Croasmun and Ryan McAnnally-Linz. Visit lifeworthliving.com/kelly to access a study guide to help you work through the book. Special thanks to the Warren Smoot Carter III and Meagan Carter Charitable Fund.

Sadly, this is the last conversation with Claire Danes and Kate Bowler about what makes life worth all the trouble, worry and suffering. In this freewheeling ride, we dig into just how inevitable personal ethical failure is and therefore, what does repair require. Like, how good are you at apologizing? Have you really accepted the people you love — as they are — or are you still trying to change them? How do you keep yourself and your choices aligned with your values? Enjoy the honesty. Share widely. We all need to stay in touch with these fundamental questions about how we live. Based on Life Worth Living: A Guide to What Matters Most from authors Miroslav Volf, Matthew Croasmun and Ryan McAnnally-Linz. Visit <a href="https://www.lifeworthlivingbook.com/kelly" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">lifeworthliving.com/kelly </a>to access a study guide to help you work through the book. Special thanks to the Warren Smoot Carter III and Meagan Carter Charitable Fund.

Claire Danes and Kate Bowler Book Clubbing with Kelly Part 3

Amy Zuckerman shares a remembrance of her late father Harry “Wes” Westlund.  Wes was a special man whose dream of becoming an Air Force fighter pilot was taken away just days before he was to receive his wings, due to a heart murmur. Amy says that although her dad lived his entire life under the threat of a heart defect, he had no issues at all with his capital “H” heart.  He was a loving, caring and kind man who made all around him feel comfortable and welcome. Happy Father’s Day to the Westlund family as you honor and remember Wes and to all of our Thanks For Being Here listeners.

Amy Zuckerman shares a remembrance of her late father Harry “Wes” Westlund. Wes was a special man whose dream of becoming an Air Force fighter pilot was taken away just days before he was to receive his wings, due to a heart murmur. Amy says that although her dad lived his entire life under the threat of a heart defect, he had no issues at all with his capital “H” heart. He was a loving, caring and kind man who made all around him feel comfortable and welcome. Happy Father’s Day to the Westlund family as you honor and remember Wes and to all of our Thanks For Being Here listeners.

Thanks For Being Here Amy's Dad Harold "Wes" Westlund

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.  A former newspaper columnist and four time bestselling author, 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.

Kelly Corrigan Wonders

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