A decade ago, Laverne Cox burst on to the scene with her role as Sophia Burset on Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black,” becoming the first openly transgender actress to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in an acting category. This month, Laverne stars in the Netflix film “Uglies,” a dystopian story set in a future society where everyone undergoes extreme cosmetic surgery at the age of 16 to become “pretty.” Laverne joins the Bright Side to discuss her latest role, her changing perceptions o...
Sep 24, 2024•25 min•Ep 132•Transcript available on Metacast Veteran journalist Connie Chung originally wanted to tell her story through stand-up, but her husband — veteran daytime talk host Maury Povich — convinced her to write a memoir. We’re still hoping for that stand-up, Connie! In her memoir “Connie,” she describes her career as an Asian American woman in a white male-centered industry, and provides a behind-the-scenes look at some of her career-defining reporting. Connie joins the Bright Side to discuss her new memoir and why everyone needs a mento...
Sep 23, 2024•37 min•Ep 131•Transcript available on Metacast Kirbie Johnson returns! She’s a beauty guru and co-host of the podcast “Gloss Angeles,” who’s also known for her work with The Cut, PopSugar, and more. She joins the show to pop off on a viral parenting controversy, the pros and cons of wedding content creators, and who’s the real queen of Halloween? Check out our episode with Alexene Farol Follmuth here ! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 20, 2024•37 min•Ep 130•Transcript available on Metacast Halle Berry doesn’t need an introduction. She’s the first Black woman to win the Oscar for best actress and has been a fierce advocate for women’s rights, raising awareness about menopause. She’s also got a new horror film out called “Never Let Go,” that she produced through her own production company HalleHolly — just in time for spooky season this fall. Halle joins the Bright Side to discuss her new horror film, what she hopes her legacy will be, and how she paves the way for herself and other...
Sep 19, 2024•26 min•Ep 129•Transcript available on Metacast We chronically undervalue the invisible domestic tasks that women disproportionately own. Eve Rodsky took this imbalance head on by authoring “Fair Play” and creating the corresponding card deck. She shares how we often view women’s time like sand, and men’s like diamonds. Plus, she reveals insights from her latest research — relevant whether you're a parent, a partner, or just interested in playing a little bit more fair. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 18, 2024•32 min•Ep 128•Transcript available on Metacast Eve made her mark in the rap scene in the late ’90s as the first lady of Ruff Ryders. And over the past decades, she’s had platinum albums, hit singles, and a Grammy Award. She was also one of the first female rappers to have a sitcom, launch a clothing line and co-host the daytime talk show, “The Talk.” Eve joins the Bright Side to share how she’s navigating life in London with a blended family and she’s spilling all the details in her new memoir, “Who’s That Girl?” See omnystudio.com/listener ...
Sep 17, 2024•32 min•Ep 127•Transcript available on Metacast Julianne Hough is a dancer, actor, Emmy Award-winner — and now she’s adding author to her impressive resume. She’s out with a brand new book titled “Everything We Never Knew,” a fictional book based on her real life experiences. She shares about her healing journey, her new “factional” book, and the moment she reconnected with her body again. Plus, the new season of “Dancing with the Stars” premieres tomorrow, and Julianne shares the secret to success on the show. See omnystudio.com/listener for...
Sep 16, 2024•34 min•Ep 126•Transcript available on Metacast Danielle and Simone take a look at this week’s hottest pop culture stories with actress and standup comedian Sasheer Zamata. They get into the cost breakdown of staying hot by age, Beyonce’s GQ cover story, the differences between celebrities and artists in culture, the CMA Awards nominations, and some of the best Super Bowl halftime shows of all time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 13, 2024•30 min•Ep 125•Transcript available on Metacast Miranda Lambert has been a major force in country music for over 20 years. She’s the most awarded artist in the history of the Academy of Country Music Awards and a three-time Grammy winner. And with her new album, “Postcard from Texas,” out tomorrow, she is releasing her truest and most real album yet. Miranda joins the Bright Side to talk about the power of going back to her roots, the magic in finding her voice, and the craziest thing she’s ever done for love. See omnystudio.com/listener for ...
Sep 12, 2024•33 min•Ep 124•Transcript available on Metacast Looking for science-backed ways to lift your mood and boost your happiness? Karen Guggenheim is the co-founder of The World Happiness Summit, a pioneer in the global happiness movement and a leader in promoting the science behind happiness. On this week’s Wellness Wednesday, Karen shares the simple, yet powerful steps you can take even when life feels overwhelming and the number one action you can start today to create more happiness in your life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...
Sep 11, 2024•31 min•Ep 123•Transcript available on Metacast When Chiquis’ mother – Mexican American banda star Jenni Rivera – died in a plane crash in 2012, Chiquis, then 27, became the matriarch of her family and stepped up as the eldest daughter to take care of her four siblings. It’s been over a decade since her mother’s death and Chiquis is a banda star in her own right. Chiquis has won the Latin Grammy for Best Banda Album twice and is known for infusing traditional regional Mexican music with the American genres she grew up with in the Los Angeles ...
Sep 10, 2024•29 min•Ep 122•Transcript available on Metacast Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson East was 20 years old and a star gymnast when she decided to leave her sport in 2012. More than a decade later, she experienced the Olympics in Paris with kids and to her – it was better than any gold medal. Shawn joins the Bright Side to talk about what life has been like in her current chapter of marriage and motherhood and how retiring led her to see herself as someone who has value outside of gymnastics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 09, 2024•33 min•Ep 121•Transcript available on Metacast Danielle and Simone dive into this week’s hottest pop culture stories with Emmy-nominated TV host and fashion designer Nina Parker. They get into Kim Kardashian's contract for her son’s YouTube channel, the latest on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's relationship, and the buzz on “Who TF Did I Marry” — the viral TikTok series from earlier this year now set to become a real-life TV show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 06, 2024•34 min•Ep 120•Transcript available on Metacast The 2024 Paralympics are officially underway and host Sophie Morgan is checking in! The disability rights advocate is making history as one of the first disabled broadcasters covering the Paralympics for NBC. Sophie joins the Bright Side to share her journey to hosting the games, how she’s leading the charge for change for disabled travelers in the UK, and what fuels her unstoppable spirit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 05, 2024•30 min•Ep 119•Transcript available on Metacast Delve into the fascinating world of psychedelics with Dr. Harriet De Wit, a renowned expert in psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience. Discover what truly happens in the brain during psychedelic experiences, from the science behind microdosing to the potential of psychedelics as treatments for mood disorders and even PTSD. Dr. De Wit provides insights into the effects of MDMA and LSD, the history of these substances, and how societal perceptions are shifting. Plus, get a sneak peek into Reese’s ...
Sep 04, 2024•37 min•Ep 118•Transcript available on Metacast Has anyone ever called you too emotional? Or too shy? Too ambitious? Or too inquisitive? Your biggest weakness could actually be one of your greatest strengths and there are stats to back that up. Julia Boorstin is a CNBC senior media and tech correspondent and author of “When Women Lead” – which reveals the odds-defying leadership approaches of women running the world's most innovative and successful companies. Julia joins the Bright Side to discuss what happens when women lead and why we are a...
Sep 03, 2024•29 min•Ep 117•Transcript available on Metacast Happy Labor Day! We’re celebrating the unsung women of the labor movement with Jenny Kaplan – CEO and co-founder of Wonder Media Network and the host of the “Womanica” podcast. Jenny shares the her stories of the first woman appointed to the U.S. Cabinet, equal pay activists, a labor activist focused on gender and race in the workplace, and a politician engaged in women’s and workers’ issues while she was in Congress. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 02, 2024•30 min•Ep 116•Transcript available on Metacast Diosa Femme is a writer, producer, and the co-founder of “Locatora Radio,” a platform dedicated to spotlighting untold stories and shifting cultural narratives. She joins Simone and Danielle to dissect the latest pop culture moments, like the remake of “La Bamba,” whether it’s time for Brat Summer to be over, and Naomi Osaka's bold tennis look. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 30, 2024•39 min•Ep 115•Transcript available on Metacast We’re back with another segment of “Mom Friend,”a judgment-free zone to explore the often-overwhelming work of parenting. Today, we’re talking back to school – and specifically how parents are navigating that transition. Abby Schiller, founder of The Mother Company and life coach, joins the Bright Side to offer ways for parents to cope with change and at the same time, empower their children to be independent. Have a parenting question? Send an email or voice memo to hello@thebrightsidepodcast.c...
Aug 29, 2024•33 min•Ep 114•Transcript available on Metacast Did you know perfectionism isn’t necessarily a bad thing? Katherine Morgan Schafler, psychotherapist and author of the book “The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control,” doesn’t want you to see perfectionism as a flaw, rather – a superpower. On this week’s Wellness Wednesday, Katherine shares advice on how to harness that power of perfectionism and use it to our advantage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 28, 2024•32 min•Ep 113•Transcript available on Metacast Best known for her hit young adult novels "Eleanor & Park" and "Fangirl," Rainbow Rowell has been called “the best thing to happen to young adult literature in ages” by Vox. Today, she joins The Bright Side to discuss her new book “Slow Dance,” the Reese’s Book Club pick for August. The New York Times bestselling author opens up about who inspired the characters in her latest novel, the health scare that made her think she might never write another book, and the vital importance of unflinchi...
Aug 27, 2024•34 min•Ep 112•Transcript available on Metacast We’re spilling the secrets to planning the ultimate international vacation with travel expert and co-founder of the travel agency Elsewhere by Lonely Planet, Alexis Bowen. She joins the Bright Side to reveal the three essentials for making your trip absolutely unforgettable and why going solo might be the best part. Plus, comedian and TV (and Airbnb) host Jessi Cruickshank joins us to talk about coming up in the Canadian comedy scene and how hosting for Airbnb helps her make new family memories....
Aug 26, 2024•36 min•Ep 111•Transcript available on Metacast Co-hosts of the Go Touch Grass podcast, comedians and writers Alise Morales & Milly Tamarez join Danielle and Simone to pop off this week about Jennifer Lopez filing for divorce from Ben Affleck, Venmo moms, and the online conversation on homie hopping. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 23, 2024•41 min•Ep 110•Transcript available on Metacast When Asma Khan was in her 20s, she couldn’t even boil an egg. By the age of 45, Asma led an all-female kitchen staff at her acclaimed London restaurant, Darjeeling Express. Today, Asma is an award-winning chef, a bestselling cookbook author and a fierce advocate for women in professional kitchens. Asma joins the Bright Side to discuss how her upbringing in India ignited her to revolutionize the culinary world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Aug 22, 2024•30 min•Ep 109•Transcript available on Metacast Should I be taking probiotics, prebiotics or postbiotics? What is a microbiome? Gut Health is in the zeitgeist and there are very few people who can explain it like Dr. Robynne Chutkan – a renowned gastroenterologist, author of several bestselling digestive health books, and host of The Gutbliss Podcast. On this week’s Wellness Wednesday, Dr. Chutkan gives us tips for the lifestyle changes we can make today for our healthiest microbiome and our gut health. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...
Aug 21, 2024•28 min•Ep 108•Transcript available on Metacast Earlier this year, world champion boxer and actor Kali Reis made history by becoming one of the first Indigenous actresses to be nominated for an Emmy for her role as Evangeline Navarro in HBO’s “True Detective: Night Country.” Kali joins the Bright Side to discuss her journey from athlete to actor, telling stories that matter and how she’s using her platform to be a mouthpiece for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls movement. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Aug 20, 2024•26 min•Ep 107•Transcript available on Metacast Do you remember the first time you saw yourself truly represented on the screen? Today on the Bright Side, we’re talking with Madeline Di Nonno – the president and CEO of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media – to unpack some of the mind-blowing studies the institute has done about women’s representation in TV and film and the possibility that we discover when we challenge long-held stereotypes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Aug 19, 2024•31 min•Ep 106•Transcript available on Metacast In this special edition of “Poppin’ Off,” we’re joined by our Emmy-winning showrunner Tim Palazzola! Tim, Simone, and Danielle unpack the controversial stripping of Jordan Chiles' Olympic bronze medal, the media's obsession with creating rivalries among women, an odd collaboration on a new mayonnaise-scented cologne, and the upcoming Disney "Villains Land" — a dark, new take on classic Disney lore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Aug 16, 2024•35 min•Ep 105•Transcript available on Metacast Emma Grede and Ashley Graham are no strangers to starting a business. Emma is the CEO and co-founder of Good American with Khloe Kardashian and a founding partner of Skims with Kim Kardashian. Ashley is a world renowned model, body positivity advocate, and entrepreneur. Together they host Hello Sunshine’s docu-series “Side Hustlers,” where they both invest their own money and offer guidance and mentorship to help shape successful women-led ventures. Emma and Ashley join The Bright Side to share ...
Aug 15, 2024•31 min•Ep 104•Transcript available on Metacast Dr. Ellen Langer has been called the “mother of mindfulness” for her extensive research in the field of mindfulness – which she defines as the process of simply noticing new things. Through decades of research, Harvard psychology professor Dr. Langer has proved again and again that we have more control over our health and well-being than we ever realized, and it all begins with our thoughts. On this week’s Wellness Wednesday, Dr. Langer reminds us that we already have a potent tool for improving...
Aug 14, 2024•23 min•Ep 103•Transcript available on Metacast 
