My friend Nora Dahlia Zelevansky is a journalist, a novelist, a wellness writer, and now she's a romance author! As we celebrate the release of her latest book PICK UP , Nora and I chat about her writing trajectory, the differences between publishing and marketing the romance genre, and why she decided to write this book using a different name. We also talk about how fiction helps us process our pasts, and especially how our high school selves might not have grasped the full story, and how we wr...
Dec 06, 2024•58 min
As Taylor Swift ends her earth-shattering Eras tour this weekend after a year and a half of dominating the charts and the headlines, I'm sharing how her music and her professional presence has shaped me as an artist, a mom, a business woman, and a former angsty teenager. I hope this episode inspires you to share your own favorite Taylor Swift memories, songs, lyrics, and more. FULL SHOW NOTES ARE HERE MENTIONED in this episode: Kate Kennedy’s Be There in Five podcast Follow Kate Kennedy on IG Ep...
Dec 05, 2024•58 min•Ep. 248
One of the books that has made the biggest impression on me in the last few years is The Perfectionist's Guide To Losing Control by Katherine Morgan Schafler . I have talked about this book EVERYWHERE and insisted that even people who do not self-identify as "perfectionists" would get something out of it. So you can imagine that I was thrilled with the Secret Stuff members chose TPGTLC as a book club pick and I was doubly thrilled when author Katherine Morgan Schafler agreed to attend our regula...
Nov 28, 2024•58 min•Ep. 247
I joined twitter in 2009 and for 15 years - until this very month - it has been my favorite social media platform. The one place where I am only a consumer and not a creator. The place where I met my earliest online friends. The place where I made most of my best online memories following breaking news, political, scandal, and pop culture. And the only other person I know who has been obsessed with twitter for as long as I have been? None other than friend and podcaster Jamie Golden . Jamie and ...
Nov 21, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 246
When the world feels hard, and our lives feel loud, it can be difficult to find equilibrium. In this episode, I'm sharing 5 practices in various areas of my life that make me feel a little more like myself, a little more like a human, a little more sane and calm. FULL SHOW NOTES HERE MENTIONED in this episode: Learn more about #OneDayHH Join our Secret Stuff community for regular Symposium conversations Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod Episode 195: Why Do Smart People Love Dumb TV? with Matt Marr SU...
Nov 14, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 245
With less than two months left in 2024, I'm sharing ten questions that will help you finish the year strong. We're talking achievable goals, mantras, connecting with others, and lingering decisions that need to be made. These questions will give you clarity for the weeks ahead and and let you set intentions for how you want to feel and who you want to be at the end of 2024. As always, you can take these questions to your journal for introspection and growth, or use them as conversation starters ...
Nov 07, 2024•59 min•Ep. 244
Reading is always the best form of therapy, distraction, entertainment, and education. And in this episode we talk about titles that serve all of those purposes. Sophie Hudson (aka Boo Mama ) is the co-host of The Big Boo Cast and she's also the author of seven books, including her latest A Fine Sight To See . She is always so fun to talk to and we had a blast talking about how long we've known each other, where we first met, how we both feel strongly about women in leadership, and, of course, t...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 243
I want you to go on a girls trip in 2025. I want it to be a priority. But if you've never been on a girls trip - or it's been a long time - the logistics can be daunting. So I'm helping you out! In this episode, I'm sharing thoughts and tips on: Deciding the vibe Choosing the guests Where to go Where to stay What to eat What to do How to document Providing fun extras ...and more. You will leave this episode excited to plan your own little getaway, whether it's a staycation with one friend or a m...
Oct 24, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 242
Lori Zuker Briller co-founded a staffing and recruitment agency almost 20 years ago, and in the last few years she's noticed a concerning trend among the young people who are applying for positions in various industries: a decline in professionalism, a lack of understanding of the job market and job search processes, and an overall deterioration in etiquette. As a mom of two daughters herself, Lori set out to create something that would help teenagers get back to the basics of professionalism an...
Oct 17, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 241
My favorite things for the Fall of 2024 include a bra, a neck alignment thing-y, a documentary, a book, what's making me feel pretty, and two unexpected events that turned out to be some of my favorite moments of the year (so far). We share our Favorite Things around here because a) it's fun b) it forces us to notice our life and c) it serves as a gratitude list of sorts. BONUS: this episode also contains a dozen recommendations from fellow listeners and members of the SECRET STUFF community. JO...
Oct 10, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 240
It's October! I'm joined on this episode by my friend and co-host of the Currently Reading podcast Meredith Monday Schwartz , to talk about why we read (and love) books in the horror genre and to give you a pile of recommendations for this spooky season. This is a conversation for longtime horror readers AND for those who are horror-curious. We cover everything from why escaping into scary stories HELPS our anxiety (yes, really), to how we believe horror books are often tackling some of the most...
Oct 03, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 239
Back in February, during a casual, late night conversation, my friend Kendra Adachi (aka The Lazy Genius ) asked me a question that completely that changed my year. The answer to a question I had never thought about came to me with such clarity. And since her question (and my answer) was about the Big Picture plan for my life, it only felt appropriate to ask Kendra to talk through it all with me here on the show. Kendra Adachi's new book is called The Plan: Manage Your Time Like A Lazy Genius an...
Sep 26, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 238
This episode is for anyone who has looked at a photo of themselves and wondered if that's what they really look like. Professional photographer Jess Koehler is my guest today as we talk through all the hangups that keep us from taking, sharing, or displaying photos of ourselves, and how we can overcome them. This is not a typical "tips and tricks" episode (although we do weave tangible and emotional tips throughout). Jess and I are talking about WHY we should document ourselves, maybe even on ou...
Sep 19, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 237
This is the latest episode in the ONE THING series, where I host conversations with interesting people and ask them the ONE THING they would tell you. You might know Joy Cho as the bright, stylish, happy face and founder of Oh Joy! , a lifestyle brand with millions of followers and whose products and designs have appeared in Target, Petco, House Beautiful (to name a few) and in collaborations with Keds, Casetify, Calpak (and more). But even with a soaring career, Joy experienced a midlife crisis...
Sep 12, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 236
This is an episode for writers, aspiring authors, readers, and anyone who likes a peek behind-the-scenes. We're going to talk about the publishing industry as it stands, how it's changed in the last few years, the rise of self-publishing, conquering self-doubt, money, and so much more. I'm sharing 4 lessons I learned after achieving my lifelong dream of becoming an author. My first book Share Your Stuff. I'll Go First. published in 2021, and my second book The Life Council: 10 Friends Every Woma...
Sep 05, 2024•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 235
What is the best thing you read this summer? My guest Carmel Phillips and I are sharing the books that made the greatest impression over the last few months, including backlist titles and the buzziest books of the season. (And yes, of course we mention the NYT Best Books of the 21st century list that dropped in July.) Carmel Phillips is a design and style blogger who regularly shares bold interiors, budget-friendly fashion, and a splash of book talk! I've wanted to have her on the show forever a...
Aug 29, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 234
The kitchen may be the heart of the home, but it's also the place most likely to collect clutter and be full to the brim of stuff . Professional organizer Tara Bremer of @house.peace shares with us 10 ways that we can achieve peace in the most used room in the house. FOLLOW @house.peace on IG SIGN UP for the House Peace newsletter As I'm in the middle of a kitchen remodel, I've been thinking a lot about how to make this space feel and function the way we want. I share a little more about the cha...
Aug 22, 2024•57 min•Ep. 233
This episode is inspired by Snoop Dogg at the Olympics. In the early 2000s, I worked on Snoop's short-lived MTV show Doggy Fizzle Televizzle and when I made a joke about this on social media, my DMs quickly filled with questions and I realized this was a story I hadn't told in awhile. So in this episode I'm sharing 10 weird things I've done - from watching Drew Barrymore crawl through a second-story window to calling the cops on a teenage prank gone wrong. I hope you enjoy my weird stories, but ...
Aug 15, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 232
August is such a crazy month - the second "new year" as it's often called, except without the fresh start and instead with the idea that we're all gearing up for school, fall chaos, and, of course, all of that bleeding into the holiday season. But I don't want the second half of the year to feel frazzled, so I'm setting myself up for (better) success with a few rules and mantras to live by. FULL SHOW NOTES HERE MENTIONED in this episode: Secret Stuff Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara RELA...
Aug 08, 2024•45 min•Ep. 231
We're back with all new episodes and kicking it off by sharing my favorite things of the summer! In this episode I'm recommending books, podcasts, documentaries, and more favorites from this season. I'm also sharing details on our current home renovation and an update on my sister's recovery from brain surgery. FULL SHOW NOTES HERE Join my SECRET STUFF Patreon community for more favorites Join us for STEPHEN KING SUMMER FAVORITES in this episode: Home renovations NYT 100 Best Books of the 21st C...
Aug 01, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 230
This episode originally aired in November 2021 and is a very fun departure from my usual interviews. One of the strangest things about our life in Hollywood (and there are many, many strange things) is our enormous fish tank. Every time I share a little bit about our fish tank on social media, I get flooded with questions that I mostly can't answer. So I finally recorded a conversation with someone who could! Nic Tiemens is the co-founder of Infinity Aquariums and not only does he take care of t...
Jul 25, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 229
This episode originally aired in August 2021, and is one of my personal favorites. Ready to bust out the air mattresses? This episode is FULL of practical, logistical, and emotional tips for hosting people in your home. I'm sharing everything from the 4 things that keep (most) guests happy, to the mindset shifts that will keep you from being overwhelmed or resentful. Look, if there's one subject I can give many (many) words to, it's hosting houseguests. Since I moved to Los Angeles 20 years ago,...
Jul 18, 2024•52 min•Ep. 228
This episode originally aired in November 2021, and has been one of the most downloaded and referenced episodes of the show. Have you ever had the thoughts: I don’t have enough time Time is passing me by I’m wasting too much time If this is something that really affects your mood, your schedule, and you're full of frazzle, overwhelm, or a continuing existential crisis, then you may have Time Anxiety . (Not an official thing - just a name I gave to something that affects me regularly.) In this ep...
Jul 11, 2024•42 min•Ep. 227
Are you thriving or are you just...fine? What about your friendships? Two podcasters I've listened to for YEARS are tackling a new series this summer on friendship (the topic on everyone's tongue). I was so excited to welcome Kristen Meinzer and Jolenta Greenberg from the How To Be Fine podcast (formerly By The Book ) to the show to talk about their podcasting roots, their relationship as business besties, their experiment of living by the advice of self-help books, and their latest project on f...
Jul 09, 2024•30 min
This is a story about growing up feeling like an outsider and finding a book that made you feel less alone. And then growing up to create an adaptation of that book for the screen, in a dream project that took years to complete. This is a story about my friend Jill Killington and her work on the tv adaptation of Stephen King's THE STAND . You don't have to like horror or Hollywood to appreciate this conversation. Jill gives us a behind-the-scenes Hollywood perspective that was new and fascinatin...
Jun 27, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 226
Since I write and talk about friendship so much, a frequent question comes up around supporting a friend when they are going through something difficult. I think the answer on this can vary, depending on the particular hardship, but my guest today is someone who knows what friends need when their difficult life circumstance is ongoing. Jessica Patay is the founder of We Are Brave Together , a nonprofit organization that provides respite, community, and resources for mothers caring for children o...
Jun 25, 2024•45 min
It's my birthday week! I'm turning 45. And every year around this time, I do a birthday episode looking back and looking ahead. This year's theme is about the quiet changes that happen when you're distracted, or busy, or not paying attention. Last year on my birthday I was convinced that something HUGE was going to happen in my 44th year. I thought I had an intuition about it. I journaled my heart out about what was coming for me. And then...when I approached the end of 2023 and then eventually ...
Jun 20, 2024•54 min•Ep. 225
We're halfway through 2024, which means it's time to take an inventory of the best books we've read in the last six months. My real life book club joins me for a mid-year look at the literary landscape for the second year in a row. Regular guests Yasmin Dunn and Stephanie Newman-Smith are always a delight to have on the show. Apologies to your TBR after listening to this one. IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN US FOR STEPHEN KING SUMMER! Yasmin’s books: You Like it Darker by Stephen King James by Perciva...
Jun 13, 2024•1 hr 56 min•Ep. 224
Jodi Wellman is focused on death. And she wants you to think about it more, too. Death is (clearly) not a popular topic, and something most of us avoid thinking about at all costs. But Jodi believes that knowing you have something to lose can help you live like you mean it. Her new book You Only Die Once: How To Make It To The End With No Regrets can walk you through making the most of your time on this earth. In this episode, author and speaker Jodi Wellman shares 5 ways to live like you're dyi...
Jun 06, 2024•48 min
Obviously friendship is a big topic around here, but one of the aspects we don't touch on much is how these important relationships have changed in modern culture. We now have hundreds of connections in our daily lives, where our ancestors probably never met that many people in their entire lifetime. Friendship writer Anna Goldfarb brings us 5 Things to think about in our modern friendships that she expounds upon in her new book Modern Friendship: How To Nurture Our Most Valued Connections . Cal...
Jun 04, 2024•52 min
