We Can Do Hard Things - podcast cover

We Can Do Hard Things

Glennon Doyle and Audacywecandohardthingspodcast.com
Life is freaking hard. We are all doing hard things every single day – things like loving and losing; caring for children and parents; forging and ending friendships; battling addiction, illness, and loneliness; struggling in our jobs, our marriages, and our divorces; setting boundaries; and fighting for equality, purpose, freedom, joy, and peace. On We Can Do Hard Things, Glennon Doyle, author of UNTAMED; her wife Abby Wambach; and her sister Amanda Doyle do the only thing they’ve found that has ever made life easier: Drop the fake and talk honestly about the hard things including sex, gender, parenting, blended families, bodies, anxiety, addiction, justice, boundaries, fun, quitting, overwhelm . . . all of it. We laugh and cry and help each other carry the hard so we can all live a little bit lighter and braver, free-er, less alone.

Episodes

266. How to Love Family When You’re Divided On Beliefs with adrienne maree brown & Autumn Brown

Just in time for the holidays: adrienne maree brown and Autumn Brown join us for a heart-opening, mind-bending conversation about sisterhood, justice, family, and how to love ourselves and people with different values simultaneously. Why their family holidays used to end in explosions – and the strategy they used to transform family time into peaceful respites. Their intentional practice for creating a more beautiful way of spending time together - including their weekly “Sister Check-ins.” What...

Dec 14, 20231 hr 11 minSeason 2Ep. 266

265. Megan Falley Knows What Love Is

When was the first time you were made aware of your body or made to feel ashamed of your body? As promised, poet and author, Megan Falley, returns and blows Glennon’s mind with her explorations into the complexities of body, gender, and love. Megan reflects on her earliest memories of body shame and the lessons she learned about love from her family (and how she’s able to hold both the good and the bad at once). Megan shares about her summers at “fat camp,” her decision to leave an abusive relat...

Dec 12, 20231 hr 8 minSeason 2Ep. 265

264. Disentangling from Emotionally Immature People with Lindsay C. Gibson

Author and clinical psychologist, Lindsay C. Gibson, is back to share practical steps to disentangle ourselves from emotionally immature people (EIPs), emphasizing the importance of repetition, persistence, and consistency in communication as well as boundary setting. Lindsay addresses questions about being in relationship with EIPs including: Are people raised by EIPs prone to entering relationships with similar dynamics? What happens when we try to have conversations or engage in conflict with...

Dec 07, 202357 minSeason 2Ep. 264

263. Healing from Emotionally Immature Parents with Lindsay C. Gibson

Author and clinical psychologist, Lindsay C. Gibson, helps us identify the characteristics of emotionally immature people (EIPs) like ego-centrism, lack of empathy, and fear of emotional intimacy. Lindsay shares the effects of being raised by emotionally immature parents, mapping out two routes children often take – becoming internalizers or externalizers – and how that plays out in adult relationships and professional lives. Emphasizing the importance of self-compassion, Lindsay explains how of...

Dec 05, 202354 minSeason 2Ep. 263

262. Aubrey Gordon: On Freedom from Anti-Fatness

Aubrey Gordon – activist, author, and teacher – talks to us about anti-fat bias and the way it manifests in employment disparities, our healthcare system, our dinner table conversations, and our parenting. She teaches us about “concern trolling” and other ways anti-fatness hides inside of our “do-gooding.” Sharing her personal experiences, Aubrey illuminates the subtle and not-so-subtle ways that our culture perpetuates anti-fatness – and examines the roots of thinness as a system of supremacy. ...

Nov 30, 20231 hr 5 minSeason 2Ep. 262

261. How to Stretch Time with Jenny Odell

Author and artist, Jenny Odell, discusses how to break from the attention economy long enough to feel fully alive in a culture obsessed with productivity. She shares stories of her encounters with nature, how to be creative instead of productive, how to be less useful in order to survive, and the real reason for art and rest. This is a deep dive about how to stay human in a world that wants us to become machines. About Jenny: Jenny Odell is a multidisciplinary artist and the New York Times bests...

Nov 28, 20231 hr 6 minSeason 2Ep. 261

Your Hilarious (& Heartwarming) Holiday Stories! (Encore)

Glennon, Abby, Amanda and the Pod Squad share their most brutiful and hilarious holiday stories. 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

Nov 23, 202354 min

260. Roxane Gay: Should We Quit Social Media?

Author and cultural observer, Roxane Gay, examines the landscape of the internet and our relationship with it. We discuss the line between constructive criticism and online toxicity; how to decide when to speak up and when to stay quiet; and how to stay human and allow redemption in an online world that demands perfection. Plus, a breakdown of our shared unguilty pleasure: Naked Attraction. About Roxane: Roxane Gay is the author of several books, including Ayiti, An Untamed State, New York Times...

Nov 21, 20231 hr 5 minSeason 2Ep. 260

259. The Cure for Emotional Isolation

How do we bring our full selves into our relationships without fear of rejection? Today, Abby shares more about what’s been happening in her life since she’s stopped “bright siding” including powerful truth-telling she’s unleashed in business and her family of origin. Glennon shares how Abby embracing her full emotions has led to deeper intimacy and connection, and a feeling of “un-loneliness” in their partnership – the opposite of what Abby feared might happen. Plus, we discuss how toxic positi...

Nov 16, 202348 minSeason 2Ep. 259

258. Abby Asks, “Why Can’t I Love Myself?”

Abby opens up about starting therapy and the work she’s been doing to unearth and express uncomfortable emotions like anger and sadness. She shares her long-held fear that if she feels and expresses her full self, people will leave her. In a profound moment, Abby shares a deep longing to truly love herself. She explains that this love has been clouded by messages she’s received since childhood which have led to difficulty trusting others, equating anger with not being okay, and a feeling like so...

Nov 14, 202355 minSeason 2Ep. 258

257. How to Finally Forgive with Nadia Bolz-Weber

Where does all our suffering come from and how can we free ourselves? Pastor, author, and speaker, Nadia Bolz-Weber, discusses how she finally became healed and whole enough to choose romantic love from freedom instead of desperation. With her characteristic raw honesty, Nadia shares that the secret to her healing has been “honestly, a lot of pain.” Plus, Nadia leads Abby to a heartbreaking, cathartic moment of clarity – and shares a blessing that she wrote for Abby and all queer people. About N...

Nov 09, 202359 minSeason 2Ep. 257

256. How to Host a Magical Gathering with Priya Parker

Priya Parker is here to discuss what Glennon called “the most important thing in the world” – connection – and how to make our time with other people have more of it. She teaches us: How – whether it’s a wedding or a retirement party – you can create new gathering rituals that forge truer, deeper relationships; Why the outcome of every gathering is decided before anyone steps in the room; and Why so many of us hate parties – and what to do about it. For the The Art of Gathering online course giv...

Nov 07, 20231 hr 14 minSeason 2Ep. 256

255. Glennon on One Year of Recovery!

Glennon tells three stories that reveal how recovery from anorexia has changed who she is and how she experiences the world. Together in G’s home, recording for the first time, Abby and Amanda respond with their reflections and the impacts that G’s recovery work has had on the entire family. 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

Nov 02, 202351 minSeason 2Ep. 255

254. Dolly Parton: How to Make Decisions (Even If They Break Your Heart)

In this special episode, Glennon, Abby, and Amanda sit down with icon Dolly Parton for a heartfelt conversation about how to start something new at 77, how she mothers the world, and how she broke her own heart when Elvis asked to record her hit song. Plus, the advice Dolly would give to Glennon and Abby’s daughter, Tish, as she enters the music business. About Dolly: Dolly Parton is the most honored and revered female country singer-songwriter of all time and was recently inducted into the Rock...

Oct 31, 202341 minSeason 2Ep. 254

253. Is it Real Love or Spider Love? With Martha Beck

Brilliant life coach, Martha Beck, works her magic for our Pod Squad. In this treasure trove of profound insight and practical guidance, Martha teaches us how to find purpose in midlife, how to use our longing as a map, and how to know for sure if what we have is real love. If you’d like to go back and listen to the episodes mentioned in today’s conversation, check out episodes: 252. Martha Beck Helps Amanda Let Go 238. How to De-Stress: Relaxation Intervention for Amanda (and You)! 121. Martha ...

Oct 26, 202345 minSeason 2Ep. 253

252. Martha Beck Helps Amanda Let Go

In this incredibly raw episode, Martha Beck coaches Amanda through a transformative, therapeutic session to help heal her overfunctioning, resentment, and burnout. Martha uncovers the different parts of Amanda that have existed inside her since childhood – and invites them to speak and then finally rest into peace, joy, and enoughness. If you’d like to go back and listen to episodes referenced in today’s conversation, check out: 238. How to De-Stress: Relaxation Intervention for Amanda (and You)...

Oct 24, 20231 hr 8 minSeason 2Ep. 252

251. How to Break Cycles with Allison Russell

Singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Allison Russell, shares her incredible life story and teaches us how she healed from abuse through music, sisterhood, and returning to her body. This hour is a soul-stirring reminder of the life-saving, cycle-breaking power of truth telling, art, and love. About Allison: Allison Russell has spent her career in multiple bands, including Po’ Girl, Our Native Daughters and Birds of Chicago. After a career spent as a gifted multi-instrumentalist, backing nume...

Oct 19, 202358 minSeason 2Ep. 251

250. Why Do We Have Sex? Asexuality with Angela Chen

Today, Angela Chen teaches us how understanding asexuality helps us understand ourselves and the true meaning of sex. Angela describes: The misconception that blocks us from fully understanding our own sexuality; Why your sexuality is a relationship between YOU and YOU; How there are MANY reasons people have sex. (Glennon says sexual attraction only accounts for 5% of her sexual experiences.); and The shame underlying compulsory sexuality – and how to stop apologizing for not wanting sex. And a ...

Oct 17, 20231 hr 4 minSeason 2Ep. 250

249. The Best Advice We’ve Got on Loneliness & Jealousy

Who do we go to for advice? And do we really even WANT advice — or just a good listener? Glennon, Abby, and Amanda tell us who they each go to when they don’t know what to do next — and offer their best advice to Pod Squaders dealing with loneliness and the unexpected jealousy of their partner's affection for a pet. 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/adchoic...

Oct 12, 202351 minSeason 2Ep. 249

248. The One Way to Get the Truth from Someone

Amanda shares the one proven way to get the truth from someone – plus: Why Glennon calls her lying style “The Puppeteer” – and why you’ll never know what Amanda’s really feeling. Amanda defends our right to lie, and debunks myths about how we can tell if someone is lying. What’s the difference between lying and controlling, manipulating, and filtering the truth? Glennon’s fear of judgment from the next generation, and How to foster real connection in a world where lying is normal. For the first ...

Oct 10, 202356 minSeason 2Ep. 248

247. Kerry Washington on the Family Secret that Shaped Her

Kerry Washington shares the deeply personal story of what happened when her parents finally told her the truth about a long-held and shocking family secret: How uncovering the truth – as painful as it was – led Kerry to reclaim her self trust; How the revelation made her the lead character of her own life for the first time; Walking the line between protection and deception; Breaking the cycle of gaslighting within families; and How defying her father freed both of them. About Kerry: Kerry Washi...

Oct 05, 20231 hr 9 minSeason 2Ep. 247

246. The Answer to Caregiving Burnout with Ai-jen Poo

Calling all Caregivers! Today is a tribute to the everyday efforts of all caregivers who are holding up the sky for everyone else. Ai-jen Poo is here shining a light on why caregivers are exhausted, unsupported, and overwhelmed – all while doing the work that makes everything else possible. We talk about how to give the people we love the care they deserve without neglecting our own needs, and what can be done to right the systemic failures that leave caregivers fending for themselves. Plus, we ...

Oct 03, 20231 hr 7 minSeason 2Ep. 246

245. An Unforgettable Double Date with Andrea Gibson & Megan Falley

Andrea Gibson returns with their partner, Megan Falley, for a gorgeous, hilarious double date with Glennon and Abby: An Andrea health update and what each has learned since Andrea’s cancer diagnosis; How their chemistry ignited with Andrea’s questionable move on a sweaty dance floor – and the text moment Andrea knew Megan was the one; How each of their relationships with their bodies has been transformed by Andrea’s illness; Navigating a relationship where one partner worries constantly and the ...

Sep 28, 20231 hr 15 minSeason 2Ep. 245

244. Stop Carrying Other People’s Pain with Chloé Cooper Jones

Where do you go to escape the pain of reality? Today, author Chloé Cooper Jones shares: The survival strategy many of us use to retreat from our lives and how to become more present; How she grapples with the world dehumanizing her disabled body; Why desire and disgust are so connected – and what they teach us; and The thing Chloé wants most – to be seen as inherently whole – and how to get it. About Chloé: Chloé Cooper Jones is a professor, journalist, and the author of the memoir Easy Beauty, ...

Sep 26, 202358 minSeason 2Ep. 244

Introducing Say More with Dr? Sheila

In the world of feelings, there are winners and losers, and somebody has to be the judge. World-renowned, self-proclaimed couples therapist Dr? Sheila invites you to sit in on her private sessions with clients. (For legal reasons, Dr? must be said in the form of a question.) Each week, a new couple…and a new puzzle to crack. You’ll get to hear, and benefit from, many of her famous techniques as she counsels patients on overcoming disagreements, dealing with an overstepping mother-in-law, navigat...

Sep 22, 20235 min

243. Oprah Shares “The Letter from Glennon that Freed Me”

The moment Oprah finally knew who she really was; The hidden gift of criticism, and the image to remember when you’re envious; Why “Slugging It Out” is a losing game; How to let go of outcomes – and make peace with what you have to offer; and Oprah reads the letter Glennon wrote to her after her mother died – which she says changed her life. Read Oprah’s newest book BUILD THE LIFE YOU WANT. TW: @Oprah IG: @Oprah To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audac...

Sep 21, 20231 hr 6 minSeason 2Ep. 243

242. We’re All Liars: What’s Your Lying Style?

Liar, liar – all of our pants are on fire. In this juicy conversation about lying: Why the question isn’t “DO you lie?” – but “HOW and WHY do you lie?” What constitutes a lie to you: defining what makes something a lie; Figuring out our own particular lie languages – and why Abby’s a Bullshitter; and Deciding if there is anyone you can be completely honest with – and how to create the algorithm of honesty. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.c...

Sep 19, 202351 minSeason 2Ep. 242

241. Being Left Out: Navigating that Lifelong Ache

Amanda, Glennon and Abby explore how to survive the lifelong, universal pain of being left out: What Abby felt when she heard “We don’t want you here” – and its long-lasting impact; Why it is so painful, and how to process feelings of rejection and isolation; How dissociation helped Glennon cope with rejection in the cafeteria; What parents should and *should not* do when helping kids navigate exclusion; and The real difference between “fitting in” and “belonging.” Also check out Episode 179: Ho...

Sep 14, 20231 hr 7 minSeason 2Ep. 241

How People are Using Psychedelics to Help Their Relationships with Dr. Hillary McBride

Dr. Hillary McBride is back to continue our thrilling conversation about PSYCHEDELICS — and how folks are using them to enhance their relationships and lives. She helps us understand: The importance of seeing our partners – and letting ourselves be seen – without any defenses; How combining therapy with psychedelics is helping people stay close to their feelings; Why the first step toward healing is feeling safe in your body; and An important question for us all: Why is being here so hard? For P...

Sep 13, 202319 min

240. Are Psychedelics an Answer? with Dr. Hillary McBride

Why is everyone talking about psychedelics?!?! Today, Dr. Hillary McBride joins us to answer all of our questions about therapeutic psychedelics, and: Her personal, step-by-step journey with therapeutic psychedelics; The science behind how psychedelics help break old patterns and create new ones; How she uncovered the root of her eating disorder; and How psychedelics can reveal your innate goodness. For our Embodiment conversation with Dr. McBride, check out: Ep 206: How to Follow the Wisdom of ...

Sep 12, 20231 hr 5 minSeason 2Ep. 240