The word “iconic” gets thrown around a lot these days. But with two Olympic medals, five World Championships, and nine US Championships, figure skater Michelle Kwan is nothing if not iconic. And after representing the US on the world stage in the ice rink, she has moved on to an incredibly fitting second act: she’s the US Ambassador to Belize. Ambassador Kwan talks about her Second Act, and the lessons she learned in her storied figure skating career. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...
May 21, 2024•35 min•Ep 42•Transcript available on Metacast Nora McInerny is an author and the host of the podcast “Terrible, Thanks for Asking.” She joins Danielle and Simone for a lively discussion about ephemeral tattoos and women naming their kids after themselves. Then, they dive into a deeper conversation about life after grief, our shared joys, and our shared joys. Would you name your daughter after yourself? Send an email to hello@thebrightsidepodcast.com and let us know! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
May 20, 2024•35 min•Ep 41•Transcript available on Metacast Actor and activist Jameela Jamil has advocated around body image, diet culture, mental health, and more. Her newest cause: getting people exercising in the most inclusive way possible. The I Weigh founder wants to remove the self-consciousness that many women associate with exercise spaces — and she wants them to feel safe doing it. To that end, she’ll be speaking at “Move For Your Mind” in New York, New York on Monday, May 20th. Plus, this National Graduation Tassel Day, Danielle and Simone giv...
May 17, 2024•26 min•Ep 40•Transcript available on Metacast These days, broadcaster Cari Champion is leaning into what brings her joy. After leaving ESPN a few years back, Cari says she is building the life she wants and telling the stories she wants to tell. She stops by The Bright Side to talk with Danielle and Simone about her “I deserve” era. Plus, we’re getting a Legally Blonde prequel (!), Gayle King on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and the Kansas City Chiefs kicker is a hot mess express. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
May 16, 2024•40 min•Ep 39•Transcript available on Metacast Actor and producer Jessica Biel has done many things in her career, but writing a children’s book about periods was not something she anticipated doing. She stops by The Bright Side to talk about her new book, A Kids Book About Periods, and why she’s on a mission to ease the shame that can come with puberty and menstruation. Plus, Danielle and Simone discuss Molly Baz’s Times Square billboard, and is secretly making your fiancé pay for their engagement ring scammy? Weigh in: hello@thebrightsidep...
May 15, 2024•29 min•Ep 38•Transcript available on Metacast There are few stars that get us as nostalgic for the ’90s as Melissa Joan Hart. The actor, director, and comedian stops by The Bright Side to discuss her new comedy tour, growing up as a teen star, her time hanging out with Britney Spears, self acceptance, and more. What's your favorite Melissa Joan Hart show? Let us know by sending an email to hello@thebrightsidepodcast.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
May 14, 2024•27 min•Ep 37•Transcript available on Metacast After journalist and best-selling author Elaine Welteroth gave birth to her son, she became interested in learning more about the maternal health crisis in America. It inspired her to found birthFUND, a coalition that financially supports mothers who want to use midwives. Plus, Danielle and Simone react to the news that Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie are reportedly reuniting for a new reality TV show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
May 13, 2024•32 min•Ep 36•Transcript available on Metacast When author Chelsey Goodan started tutoring girls, she realized that what they needed most was for someone to listen to them. Her new book, “Underestimated: The Wisdom and Power of Teenage Girls,” is the result of all that listening. It's a practical guide for those looking to help empower girls and change the narrative of perfection that so many girls have internalized. Plus, in honor of Mother’s Day, Danielle and Simone’s moms stop by The Bright Side studios to drop some motherly wisdom. Have ...
May 10, 2024•42 min•Ep 35•Transcript available on Metacast Peloton instructor, “Today Show” on-air contributor, and Love Squad CEO Ally Love joins the show to talk about resilience, the power of pep talks, navigating life’s transitions and whether or not you really need to make your bed in the morning. Plus, Mother’s Day is around the corner and we’re debating which is better: a practical or frivolous gift? Let us know what you think by sending an email to hello@thebrightsidepodcast.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
May 09, 2024•29 min•Ep 34•Transcript available on Metacast We get into the fascinating history of women’s health with Dr. Elizabeth Comen, an oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering and the author of All in Her Head. Plus, if your friend wanted to get back with an ex, would you weigh in with your opinion? Tell us: hello@thebrightsidepodcast.com . At the end of the episode, Danielle and Simone discuss the importance of having each others’ backs in the workplace. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
May 08, 2024•34 min•Ep 33•Transcript available on Metacast Award-winning actress Regina King and her sister Reina King stop by The Bright Side to talk about creativity, drive, and working together as sisters. The two founded the production company, Royal Ties, out of their love for storytelling. Their latest is the Netflix series “A Man in Full,” which they executive produced and Regina directed. They also talk about their work on “Shirley,” a stunning biopic about Congresswoman Shirley Chisolm’s presidential campaign. Plus, Anne Hathaway’s moment, Miss...
May 07, 2024•40 min•Ep 32•Transcript available on Metacast Women are not only natural entrepreneurs, they’re also uniquely equipped to solve the world’s future problems, according to author Brooke Markevicius. In her new book, “The Future Built by Women: Creating a Brighter Tomorrow Through Tech and Innovation,“ Brooke encourages and empowers women to live at the forefront of technological, social, and business change. Plus, Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes talk about parenting at an “older” age, and dopamine decor. What’s your take? Hit us up: hello@thebrig...
May 06, 2024•32 min•Ep 31•Transcript available on Metacast “Pop culture anthropologist” Blakely Thornton will host his Met Gala watch party on Monday, May 6. He joins the show to dish about what excites him about the red carpet looks, fashion trends, sushi hype, and movie casting what-ifs. Plus, a baby shower secret weapon, Bumble allowing men to initiate, and even more about Lenny Kravitz exercising in his leather pants. Do you like to initiate on dating apps? Send an email to hello@thebrightside.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...
May 03, 2024•39 min•Ep 30•Transcript available on Metacast Friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson returns for another “Asking for a Friend.” She lays out how conflict in our friendships is not only normal, but an opportunity to meet a need and ultimately strengthen the relationship. And she gives us some concrete pointers on how to navigate that conflict. Her book “Fighting for Our Friendships” is out May 7. Plus, adventures in recreating healthy recipes at home, keeping tabs on your friends and family, and the girls soccer team that beat a boys team...
May 02, 2024•38 min•Ep 29•Transcript available on Metacast Neha Ruch founded Mother Untitled as a community for mothers rethinking their relationship to work. The goal: to give clarity and confidence to women who are considering a career pause or downshift, and to shift the perception of what it means to be a stay-at-home parent. Plus, Danielle and Simone get into the phrases that successful women use at work. Do you use any of these phrases at work? Maybe you have your own? Let us know at Hello@thebrightsidepodcast.com See omnystudio.com/listener for p...
May 01, 2024•37 min•Ep 28•Transcript available on Metacast Joanne Molinaro, The Korean Vegan, reflects on the wisdom, confidence, and joy she’s found through food. Plus, we’re Giving Her Flowers: High school freshman Naya Ellis’ invented a watch that can detect the signs of stroke in older adults. Her invention won her recognition at the National STEM Challenge. If you know someone in your community who deserves her flowers, send us their name and your reasons for nominating them to hello@thebrightsidepodcast.com. We'll be showering praise and recogniti...
Apr 30, 2024•41 min•Ep 27•Transcript available on Metacast Claire Lombardo is the author of “The Most Fun We Ever Had,” the Reese’s Book Club pick for April. The book deals with imperfect characters, complicated relationships, and dysfunctional families, and it exemplifies one of Claire’s philosophies in fiction: no one’s fully a hero, and no one's fully a villain. Plus, Danielle and Simone sound off on stage names. What’s your stage name? Send us an email at hello@thebrightsidepodcast.com . You can find "The Most Fun We Ever Had" on Apple Books or wher...
Apr 29, 2024•38 min•Ep 26•Transcript available on Metacast Ada Limón draws inspiration from nature — from feeling like a part of a much larger, awesome whole. She’s partnering with the National Park Service to create the “You Are Here” initiative: seven picnic tables at seven National Parks, each featuring a site-specific poem selected by Ada. And later this year, she’s sending one of her poems to space on NASA’s Europa Clipper! She shares insights about her relationship to poetry, and gives a prompt to help all of us get in touch with our inner poet. P...
Apr 26, 2024•42 min•Ep 25•Transcript available on Metacast When comedian and “Daily Show” senior correspondent Dulcé Sloan began her memoir “Hello Friends: Stories of Dating, Destiny, and Day Jobs,” she started with the jokes that were too long to tell on stage. She talks with Danielle and Simone about not being famous enough, the tight-knit comedy community, and the perks of growing up in Atlanta. Plus, Caitlin Clark is set to sign a $28 million deal with Nike, Anne Hathaway opened up about a “gross” chemistry test in the 2000’s, and Hello Sunshine’s M...
Apr 25, 2024•32 min•Ep 24•Transcript available on Metacast Jeni Britton Bauer built Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams up from a single storefront in Columbus, Ohio, to a national brand. The ice cream icon’s path to dessert royalty was sometimes a rocky road, and she’s learned big time business lessons along the way from failures, from crises, and from… “The Lord of the Rings”? Plus, the (real!) power of a pat on the back — and maybe you’ve heard of love languages, but how can “stress languages” help inform your relationships? What’s your stress language? Send ...
Apr 24, 2024•39 min•Ep 23•Transcript available on Metacast Alexa von Tobel is on a mission to teach girls about money. Financial literacy is one of the keys to closing the wealth gap between men and women, and Alexa says you can start teaching kids about money at a very young age. She joins us to discuss ways to get into a healthier money mindset — for both kids and adults. Plus, the Spice Girls reunite, Cher finally enters the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the dichotomy between truth and kindness. How do you talk about money with your kids? Email u...
Apr 23, 2024•27 min•Ep 22•Transcript available on Metacast When Katherine Woodward Thomas wrote Calling in The One in the early 2000s, she had no idea how strongly it would resonate with women today. The therapist and author joined The Bright Side to talk about how to attract the love of your life, and why her book is having a resurgence two decades after it was first released. Plus, we chat about Earth Day, Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department, and a recent study that says America is not as divided as we think. See omnystudio.com/listener for p...
Apr 22, 2024•43 min•Ep 21•Transcript available on Metacast Dr. Jessica Shepherd has seen her fair share of misinformation about birth control. The OB-GYN joins The Bright Side to do some myth busting around reproductive health, and discuss questions around IUD pain, infertility, and weight gain. Plus, Danielle and Simone talk about Taylor Swift’s new album, react to the news that Nelly and Ashanti are expecting their first child, and discuss Emma Roberts’ "doll wall." Do you have any questions about reproductive health for our next conversation with an ...
Apr 19, 2024•35 min•Ep 20•Transcript available on Metacast Mary Beth Barone is no stranger to doing it herself. For years, the comedian has made her rounds as a stand-up on the comedy club circuit. Mary Beth sits down with Simone and Danielle to talk about her evolution in comedy, working in a male-dominated industry, and writing, directing, producing, and funding her own comedy special on YouTube. Plus, Arianna Grande’s nonna is the oldest person to hit the Billboard Hot 100, “Crazy Rich Asians” goes to Broadway, and the merits of being “unlikeable.” L...
Apr 18, 2024•42 min•Ep 19•Transcript available on Metacast Reporter Amy Chozick used her experiences covering HIllary Clinton on the campaign trail as the inspiration for a new show on Max called “The Girls on the Bus.” Part satire, part drama, the show follows four journalists covering a cadre of flawed presidential candidates. Amy joins us to talk about turning her observations from ten years of campaign reporting into a TV series. Plus, Caitlin Clark’s WNBA salary, Taylor Swift tries to make poetry cool, and Danielle and Simone ask: is it OK to drink...
Apr 17, 2024•34 min•Ep 18•Transcript available on Metacast Rachel Zoe is a fashion mogul, celebrity stylist, CEO, and host of the podcast “Climbing in Heels.” She dishes about her decades of making fashion approachable, building her brand while staying on top of her game, and just being a nice person. Danielle and Simone react to the news that “The Morning Show” will delay season 4 until after this year’s election — and compare their own newsroom experience to the show. Plus, beauty tips from Ava Phillippe, the daughter of Reese Witherspoon! See omnystu...
Apr 16, 2024•31 min•Ep 17•Transcript available on Metacast 2024 has been a phenomenal year for women in sports. With the record-breaking viewership of the women's March Madness finals, women's athletics have finally gotten the media coverage they deserve. However, recent research shows that by the time girls hit 14 years old, they are twice as likely to quit playing sports than boys. Christine Yu, award-winning journalist and author of “Up to Speed: The Groundbreaking Science of Women Athletes” joins us on the show to unpack why this is happening and wh...
Apr 15, 2024•35 min•Ep 16•Transcript available on Metacast The color-obsessed content creator Courtney Quinn — better known as Color Me Courtney — joins the show to talk about the power of color, and what different colors say about our clothes, our confidence, and even our show’s logo! Plus, Danielle and Simone talk about the upcoming Margot Robbie-produced Monopoly movie, Lenny Kravitz working out in leather pants, and the colors we’re wearing this season. Are you all about bright colors, or do you prefer a more neutral palette? Send us a voice memo at...
Apr 12, 2024•33 min•Ep 15•Transcript available on Metacast Today, we bid farewell to an archetype that defined millennial hustle culture: the #girlboss. Danielle and Simone give heartfelt eulogies, and are joined by cultural critic Leigh Stein to understand the girlboss rise and fall. Leigh helps make sense of why it’s time to let her go, and where we go from here. Plus, we dive into AI therapy (yes, it’s real), the new Bridget Jones movie, and the paradigm-shifting viewership of the women’s NCAA Finals. Send in your #girlboss condolences: hello@thebrig...
Apr 11, 2024•39 min•Ep 14•Transcript available on Metacast Optimism is not just an outlook — it’s a mindset. And it’s a mindset that can change your life for the better, according to Dr. Sue Varma, a psychiatrist and the author of “Practical Optimism.” Dr. Varma says you can actually train your brain to become more optimistic by learning to reframe negative situations. The effects are stunning. Plus, Danielle and Simone discuss Billie Eilish’s new album, Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen, and Rihanna on plastic surgery. Have a hot take on celeb cu...
Apr 10, 2024•39 min•Ep 13•Transcript available on Metacast 
