Kelly Corrigan Wonders

In today's episode, sponsored by Coop Sleep Goods, Kelly explores the five main reasons we wake up at night with insights from Stanford sleep expert Dr. Cheri Mah, an internationally recognized sleep physician & research scientist (who specializes in sleep optimization and maximizing performance for elite athletes and sports organizations). From environmental factors to stress, we cover practical solutions including the effective "sleep reset" technique for those frustrating middle-of-the-night wake-ups. Visit coopsleepgoods.com and use code KELLY20 for 20% off your order - including their fantastic pillows designed for every type of sleeper. To learn more about sleep expert Dr. Cheri Mah visit: www.drcherimah.com and IG/X: @drcherimah To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A deep dive on "making" with Kelly's daughter Claire and Pete Docter, the creative genius behind Pixar classics. Pete shares how he discovered animation, his journey to Pixar, and the evolution of films like "Up" and "Monsters Inc." Despite his success, he remains refreshingly humble about the creative process. His golden advice for young creators: just make stuff and push beyond your comfort zone. Pete reflects on the film "Inside Out": "I was there for every major decision, but where did this come from?". A reminder that creativity remains wonderfully mysterious, even for the masters. Check out Kelly and Claire's new children's book Marianne the Maker - you can pre-order HERE. To celebrate the release of Marianne the Maker, Penguin Young Readers is matching each pre-order with a donation of the book to Save the Children’s early education programs in the U.S. — up to 2,000 books. Pre-order your copy today and help inspire a love of reading in the lives of children who may not otherwise have access to books. Occasionally hyperlinks don't work on desktop computers, below you'll find the addresses for the links above: Marianne the Maker website: https://www.mariannethemaker.com To preorder Marianne the Maker: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/marianne-the-maker-kelly-corrigan/1146247121?ean=9780593206096 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kelly shares Jennifer Cramer-Miller's beautiful story about the life-changing gift of organ donation. Through touching thank-you letters written after her kidney transplant, Jennifer shows us how one act of generosity created a ripple effect of kindness and gratitude. Her story reminds us that heroes walk among us every day, often without recognition. Portions of this episode are excerpted from Jennifer Cramer-Miller's memoir, Incurable Optimist. To learn more about how organ donation saves lives, visit Donate Life. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Food for thought on America Ferrera’s speech at the climax of Barbie, informed by the great Jia Tolentino (a former guest who I found totally fascinating and original) and her book Trick Mirror. Let us never forget that we are a product of our culture. Please share, especially with the younger generation working to figure out who they are. (Previously aired) To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In episode one of our Makers series, Kelly and her daughter Claire speak with neuroscientist Susan Magsamen and Google's Chief Design Officer Ivy Ross about how art and creativity affect our brains and bodies. Their book Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us reveals that making isn't just a hobby but a fundamental human need that improves wellbeing, helps process trauma, and enhances learning. Susan and Ivy explain how singing to babies releases oxytocin, how arts education closes achievement gaps, and why creative expression matters for everyone from CEOs to doctors to children. Check out Kelly and Claire's new children's book Marianne the Maker - you can pre-order HERE. To celebrate the release of Marianne the Maker, Penguin Young Readers is matching each pre-order with a donation of the book to Save the Children’s early education programs in the U.S. — up to 2,000 books. Pre-order your copy today and help inspire a love of reading in the lives of children who may not otherwise have access to books. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's Thanks For Being Here is a speech KCW producer Tammy Stedman recently delivered at her alma mater, Washington College, about the lasting impact of her college experience. She reflects on how the personal connections, individual attention, and sense of community shaped not just her career in media, but her approach to life and learning. Tammy's story reminds us that education at its best equips us not just with knowledge, but with the curiosity and critical thinking skills needed for thoughtful engagement with our complex world. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Inspired by Derek Thompson's Atlantic article "The Antisocial Century," we're hosting our first ever live event which will take place in Bozeman, MT on July 31st, 2025. We plan to bring 150 people together in beautiful downtown Bozeman for an afternoon of creative activities including writing, singing, art, and stitching. More details at: kellycorrigan.com/bozeman. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's Go To is a special Oscar-themed conversation. We (Kelly and producer Tammy) share some of our favorite Best Picture winners throughout the years, discuss what makes a screenplay truly stand out, and have some laughs about past Academy decisions that left us puzzled. Our chat explores the elements that make certain films timeless - powerful storytelling, unforgettable performances, and perfect cinematic moments. Whether you're following the awards closely or just enjoy great films, join us as we count down to Oscar Sunday. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Estimates are that about every 15 minutes we make a decision and that decision often involves a choice of who to put first, ourselves or someone else. The culture and business of self is thriving. Richard Lui is a news anchor whose life has asked him to repeatedly consider the ping ponging we all do between acts of selfishness and acts of selflessness. Eight years ago, he started flying cross-country weekly to take care of his father who had Alzheimer's and if you ask him, caring for them is both a harrowing duty and a privilege with many benefits. After talking to Richard, Kelly did a deep dive into what we know about trauma and grief with research, author and Columbia professor George Bonanno. This conversation is for anyone and everyone who is caring for another person. Please share.(Previously aired) To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's Thanks For Being Here features a touching eulogy shared by Diana Weymar, creator of the Tiny Pricks Instagram account. Through thoughtful birthday emails, Diana's daughter Liza found connection with her grandfather Tom. At his funeral, she shared how their unique bond shaped her life, even when their relationship wasn't always easy. A beautiful reminder of how family stories help us understand ourselves and those we love. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Looking to boost your happiness? Kelly dives into psychologist Jenny Taitz's fresh take on finding joy in our daily lives. Drawing from Jenny’s New York Times article, Kelly shares simple tricks for savoring the good stuff - from spicing up how we talk about happy moments to flipping disappointments into opportunities. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bestselling author and recovering stage 4 cancer patient Kate Bowler (Duke Divinity professor and host of Everything Happens podcast) asks as many questions as she answers. Where did we get our ideas about what’s fair, what can be manifested, what we’re owed? When it comes to cultural messages of self help, what’s true and what’s a bunch of profitable nonsense? After Kelly sat down with Kate on the set of her PBS show Tell Me More, she met up with bestselling author Arthur C. Brooks, a happiness researcher who writes for The Atlantic and teaches at Harvard. (Previously aired) To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meg Hayes shares the experience of watching her son Patrick run the Boston Marathon – a day that began with all the joy and community spirit that makes marathon-watching so special, and ended up teaching her profound lessons about grace, luck, and the kindness of strangers in moments of crisis. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join me as I explore how AI is becoming part of our emotional lives, from helping with daily tasks to potentially supporting our kids in ways both promising and concerning. I'm guest curating at TED 2025 on the topic "What is a parent for in an AI world?" and I'd love your thoughts at hello@kellycorrigan.com on where AI could help – or shouldn't – in your children's lives. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When prosecutor Karen McKinney argued for a life sentence against a 19-year-old gang member named Joseph, she never imagined they would one day share laughs over tacos. Twenty years later, their unexpected friendship challenges everything Karen believed about human capacity for change. After witnessing Joseph's profound transformation at his parole hearing, she took the unprecedented step of reaching out to the man she had once condemned. Their story transcends the boundaries of the justice system, proving that authentic connection can flourish in the most unlikely places – and that it's never too late to see someone, or yourself, in a new light. WARNING: This episode continues detailed descriptions of violence. This episode was made possible by a grant from Templeton Religion Trust. To learn more, go to templetonreligiontrust.org. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Newly appointed Judge Kristine Burk's investiture ceremony became unexpectedly tender when her 19-year-old son Tyler took the podium. Moving beyond the usual formal speeches, Tyler crafted an acrostic poem for "JUDGE" that revealed the everyday magic of his mom - from her unshakeable belief in second chances, to her instinct for helping strangers in need, to the joyful warmth she radiates to everyone around her. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey friends, in a world that feels like it's constantly throwing storms, floods, and fires our way (both literal and metaphorical), I want to share something that's been a true refuge for me – reading. Today I'm highlighting two books that have been a balm for my soul: Daniel Mason's "Northwoods," a beautiful story spanning centuries on a plot of Massachusetts land, and Kazuo Ishiguro's "Clara and the Sun," a fascinating exploration of artificial friends and human connection. For my complete reading list, drop me a note at hello@kellycorrigan.com. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sisters Amy and Meg's story reveals how even the closest family bonds can fracture – and heal. Growing up with a widowed mother in the 1960s, their relationship became strained by years of unbalanced dynamics and taken-for-granted love. When Meg finally stepped away, it led to painful years of separation that affected both sisters and their families. Through persistence, humility and grace, they found their way back to each other, rebuilding their relationship one Sunday hike at a time. Their path from estrangement to reconciliation demonstrates how healing begins with showing up, asking questions, and making the other person a priority – proving that sometimes the hardest conversations lead to the most meaningful transformations. (Note: for anyone unfamiliar with the "Go Birds!' comment at the end of the pod - Kelly, Amy and Meg all share having grown up in the Philadelphia area and at the time of this recording, the Philadelphia Eagles are on their way to the 2025 Super Bowl. "Go Birds!" is a shortened form of "Go Eagles!" but has become a widely used way to share Philly pride and is now a stand-in for, "Hi", "Bye", "Thanks", "Have a nice day" or just about anything else.) This episode was made possible by a grant from Templeton Religion Trust. To learn more, go to templetonreligiontrust.org. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today'sThanks For Being Here features a beautiful eulogy written by Audrey Bowler for her grandfather Herbert Reichlin, a World War II veteran who lived to be 99. From young soldier to beloved family man, "Grandpop Herb", always believed in miracles and the power of love. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steve and Jill Marshall from Silver Path Consulting are back to tackle two of the biggest challenges families face when helping aging parents: getting finances in order and planning final arrangements. They dive into why having a solid financial plan isn't just about numbers – it's about peace of mind and protection. From practical tips on finances to protecting against exploitation, they share wisdom that might just save your family some headaches. Then, they break down how to handle those tough-but-necessary conversations about final arrangements, boiling it down to three key decisions everyone needs to make. Whether you're just starting to think about these issues or already in the thick of it, this episode offers a road map for handling delicate topics with grace and clarity. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices