Episode 6: Kathryn Hahn
Spending time with Kathryn Hahn, Marvel Universe’s Witchy Woman Agatha/Agnes Harkness from WandaVision and now Claire Debella in Rian Johnson’s “Glass Onion: Knives Out 2,” always brings me such joy because we have an ease of conversation and sharing of ideas that comes with longstanding friendships. In this conversation she leaves us with some powerful nuggets of wisdom – we don’t have to allow ourselves to be defined by other’s adjectives, there is power in defining your own expectations and finally “you can’t exist within your own bubble… You can’t harden the boundaries.”
Episode 5: Dennis Williams
Dennis’ journey to meeting his son is a lesson for us all that we have to construct new futures for ourselves when our plans don’t work out as we have dreamed. In his calming and assuring manner, Dennis encourages us to keep knocking on the doors believing that the answers we are looking for will soon appear. His is the perfect story to contemplate as we prepare for Thanksgiving. You can also see his journey and update on fatherhood on ABC’s The Parent Test.
Episode 4: Regina Bain
Regina’s life and work have been a series of incredible victories based upon her ability to stand in the present reality of her life and take firmly in her hands the opportunities before her. Her immense creativity and critical mind are on full display in our conversation. She reminds us all that we must courageously ask ourselves the questions what is the goal of our hearts? and what secret desires move us? And when the answers come, you have to move joyfully in the direction of your soul.
Episode 3: Gamal Palmer
What struck me the most about my conversation with Gamal Palmer was the message that pervades his life and his work. You can help people just by allowing them to be who they are, even if you disagree with them. What a profound thought for a time when adherence to your group’s thoughts and opinions is valued above even rational thought. And I was personally moved by his story of being viewed as a good black person and all that means. His words are a good reminder that as we shape our individual lives, you sometimes have to simply spread your wings and soar.
Episode 2: Rachana Garg
In my wide-ranging conversation with the brilliant Rachana Garg, I was reminded that the antidote to chaos is not a staid peace, but rather a radical dose of empathy, detachment, and curiosity. Empathy is the vehicle to build community with the people in our world. All people. Not just our cohorts or political comrades. Not only those whom we go to church with on Sunday morning, or synagogue on Saturday night, or no church at all.
Episode 1: Pun Bandhu
My conversation with my dear friend and colleague Pun Bandu was a great reminder that we are not here to be supporting players in our narratives. There is power and freedom in recognizing and embracing with open arms the wide dimensionality of who we are, even if who we are doesn’t fit into a neat and convenient category of who the world, our parents, and even our friends think we should be. As Pun reminds us so beautifully, we must break free of prisms that prevent us from being the heroes and emotional engines of our own lives.