We Can Do Hard Things

1. What Tish said when asked, “Who has taught you the most about love?”— why it was the best day of Abby’s life, and led her to redefine what it means to be a mother.  

2. Glennon declares herself a great adventurer, without movement: an inner travel guide—and how the new journal will help steer us toward our next right thing. 

3. How the pandemic brought Amanda’s anxieties, traumas, and relational cracks, previously on a slow burn, to center stage—and what she’s learning from “Be Still and Know.” 

4. Why Glennon says whatever we’re envious of is what we need to go for—and how that led to the creation of this podcast.

1. Brené and Glennon role play through a scenario on how to put boundaries in practice with family members this holiday season.

2. Why Brené insists that starting “a love affair with the thing you’re most afraid of” will change your life.  

3. Glennon asks Brené the question she’s been dying to ask about how a woman’s work is defined and received in the world compared to her male counterparts. 

4. How understanding that grief and loss are an inevitable part of change helps us navigate toward the decisions that serve us. 

5. Brené answers questions from the Pod Squad and our rapid fire session on: tough emotions, tattoos, and her favorite place on Earth.

About Brené:

Dr. Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston where she holds the Huffington Foundation Endowed Chair at The Graduate College of Social Work. Brené is also a visiting professor in management at The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business.  

She has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy, is the author of five #1 New York Times bestsellers, and is the host of the weekly Spotify Original podcasts Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead. 

Brené’s books have been translated into more than 30 languages and titles include:  Dare to Lead, Braving the Wilderness, Rising Strong, Daring Greatly, and The Gifts of Imperfection. Most recently Brené collaborated with Tarana Burke to co-edit You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience. 

Her TED talk – The Power of Vulnerability – is one of the top five most viewed TED talks in the world with over 50 million views. She is also the first researcher to have a filmed lecture on Netflix. The Call to Courage special debuted on the streaming service in April 2019.  

Brené lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband, Steve. They have two children, Ellen and Charlie.

Book: Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience

Instagram: @brenebrown

Twitter: @BreneBrown

1. Why Brené’s new book ATLAS OF THE HEART is a game changer for communicating hard emotions more easily. 

2. Brené breaks down the difference between stressed and overwhelmed—and gives us tools to navigate both.

3. How our survival strategies from our families of origin can become both our superpowers and our stumbling blocks in our relationships and wellness.  

4. How we can make sure our kids experience deep, steady belonging—even if they don’t feel like they “belong” out in the world.  

5. The one question that Brené now asks herself whenever she’s considering a decision—and how it’s changed everything. 

About Brené:

Dr. Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston where she holds the Huffington Foundation Endowed Chair at The Graduate College of Social Work. Brené is also a visiting professor in management at The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business.  

She has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy, is the author of five #1 New York Times bestsellers, and is the host of the weekly Spotify Original podcasts Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead. 

Brené’s books have been translated into more than 30 languages and titles include:  Dare to Lead, Braving the Wilderness, Rising Strong, Daring Greatly, and The Gifts of Imperfection. Most recently Brené collaborated with Tarana Burke to co-edit You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience. 

Her TED talk – The Power of Vulnerability – is one of the top five most viewed TED talks in the world with over 50 million views. She is also the first researcher to have a filmed lecture on Netflix. The Call to Courage special debuted on the streaming service in April 2019.  

Brené lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband, Steve. They have two children, Ellen and Charlie. 

Book: Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience

Instagram: @brenebrown

Twitter: @BreneBrown

1. Glennon gives you a beautiful Thanksgiving pep talk that has Amanda and Abby nodding along and rolling with laughter. 

2. Why Amanda suggests that we can be free to be our full selves at the Thanksgiving table, if we also each bring our own damn casserole. 

3. Why the best predictor of how a family member is going to act is how a family member has always acted. 

4. We’re taking holiday-themed questions from our beloved Pod Squad about in-laws, when to break tradition, and how to navigate different family of origin patterns.

1. How our second holiday hack—“Be unsurprised”—eliminates walking on eggshells around family, and leaving holiday gatherings feeling badly about ourselves or our people.  

2. Amanda shares the first time she broke her family’s biggest holiday tradition—and how it’s now one of her most precious memories. 

3. Abby remembers watching her mom stress out by preparing and perfecting every holiday detail—and the change she made to minimize her own holiday stress.  

4. How carrying around a cup of hot tea serves as Glennon’s super shield.

1. How a marathon is an analogy for life: the danger of comparison, the ride of emotions and self-doubt, that love is fuel, and that the world needs both runners and cheerers.  

2. The question Abby kept asking herself throughout the race—and why she’s still wearing her marathon medal while doing the dishes and running errands. 

3. Why race day was so profound to Glennon— even though she is strongly committed to NOT running—and how she experienced her first sports injury while cheering. 

4. A special visit by the kids’ middle school cross-country coach, Coach Loux, who became Abby’s marathon coach—and what she said at the 24-mile mark that shifted everything for Abby.  

5. A conversation with marathon champion Shalane Flanagan about the bond and joy of running—and how she played a magical part of Abby’s marathon day.

About Shalane Flanagan: 

Dedicated to giving back to the sport she loves, Shalane Flanagan is now an elite coach to the Bowerman Track Club, global spokesperson, and a mom, after retiring as one of America’s most decorated distance runners. Flanagan’s accolades include four-time Olympian, Olympic silver medalist, 2017 TCS New York City Marathon champion, World Cross Country Bronze medalist, and multiple American record holder. She is the third fastest American marathoner in history, with a time of 2:21.14. Shalane is the fastest American woman to run the Boston Marathon, 2:22.02. Along with her coauthor, Elyse Kopecky, she is the 3-time New York Times bestselling author of Run Fast. Eat Slow. and Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow. and Rise & Run, which became an instant bestseller. Shalane attributes her long career and incredible success to her nutrient-dense diet. Shalane has left the track behind, but you’ll still find her logging high mileage on trail run adventures with friends! Recipes from all three of her cookbooks fuel these strenuous miles.

1. Gabrielle shares—as rawly and honestly as we’ve ever heard—about the “emotional chaos” of her years experiencing miscarriage, infertility, and surrogacy.

2. Gabrielle and Abby discuss the label and perception of “stepmom”—Gabrielle shares what she avoids at all costs in that role, and the most vital part of the role for her: consistency.

3. How Gabrielle coached her NBA husband Dwyane before Zaya shared with him that she is gay, and how his reaction encouraged Zaya to tell the people on her “never-ever” list.

4. Gabrielle’s insistence that home is a sanctuary where all are embraced with love, understanding, and joy—and how, if you can’t get behind all of her family members, you’re not welcome.

About Gabrielle:

Gabrielle Union is an actress, executive producer, activist, best-selling author, and Time100 cover honoree. Union will next be seen in Disney’s remake of CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN developed by Kenya Barris for Disney+. She was last seen in “L.A.’s Finest,” the highly anticipated TV spinoff of the BAD BOYS movie franchise. She reprised her starring role as Syd Burnett opposite Jessica Alba in the series and served as an executive producer through her production shingle “I’ll Have Another.” Union formed “I’ll Have Another” in 2018 with the goal of telling stories that center marginalized communities with their specific point of views in an authentic manner. 

In May of 2021, Gabrielle released – in partnership with her husband Dwyane Wade – her second children’s book, “Shady Baby,” which became a New York Times best seller the first week of release. Her first book, We’re Going To Need More Wine: Stories That Are Funny, Complicated and True, was released in 2017 and instantly became a New York Times best seller. The highly anticipated follow up “You Got Anything Stronger?” was released in September of this year and was a New York Times best seller as well. 

Union has always had an eye for forward-thinking businesses centered around inclusion, accessibility, and affordability. In August of 2020, she relaunched her haircare brand “Flawless by Gabrielle Union” for women with textured hair. Prior to relaunching Flawless, Union co-founded Bitsy's with the goal of making healthy, allergen- friendly, school-safe snacks that are accessible and affordable for all families regardless of their socioeconomic or geographical status. Union serves as a leader and advocate for inclusion in the entertainment industry. She is also a champion of breast health and combating sexual violence.

Instagram: @gabunion

Twitter: @itsgabrielleu

1. Why Esther often recommends letter writing if you don’t know quite how to start—or have—hard conversations.  

2. What to say—and when to say it—to show up for a friend who is in a bad relationship.

3. The importance of rituals in transitioning through breakups—what we should do when it’s time to say goodbye; and what we can do if we’ve never gotten the closure we need.

About Esther Perel: 

Psychotherapist and New York Times bestselling author Esther Perel is recognized as one of today’s most insightful and original voices on modern relationships. Fluent in nine languages, she helms a therapy practice in New York City and serves as an organizational consultant for Fortune 500 companies around the world. Her celebrated TED Talks have garnered more than 30 million views and her bestselling books, Mating in Captivity and The State of Affairs, are global phenomena translated into nearly 30 languages. Esther is also an executive producer and host of the popular podcasts Where Should We Begin? and How’s Work? Her latest project is Where Should We Begin - A Game of Stories with Esther Perel.

Learn more at EstherPerel.com or by following @EstherPerelOfficial on Instagram.

1. How, if you have been struggling in your romantic, parental, family, or work relationships through the lingering uncertainty of the last two years, you are not alone.

2. The revolutionary understanding that, in relationships, “behind every criticism is a longing; behind every anger is a hurt.”

3. What to do when your relationship is a bond of co-parenting / life management instead of a partnership of ongoing discovery. 

4. The link between trauma recovery and the process of enlivening “dead” relationships.

5. Esther’s everyday conflict resolution practices.

About Esther Perel: 

Psychotherapist and New York Times bestselling author Esther Perel is recognized as one of today’s most insightful and original voices on modern relationships. Fluent in nine languages, she helms a therapy practice in New York City and serves as an organizational consultant for Fortune 500 companies around the world. Her celebrated TED Talks have garnered more than 30 million views and her bestselling books, Mating in Captivity and The State of Affairs, are global phenomena translated into nearly 30 languages. Esther is also an executive producer and host of the popular podcasts Where Should We Begin? and How’s Work? Her latest project is Where Should We Begin - A Game of Stories with Esther Perel.

Learn more at EstherPerel.com or by following @EstherPerelOfficial on Instagram.

1. How Glennon and Abby transitioned from the “falling in love” phase to “landing in love” at different times—and how Glennon felt “bamboozled” by it.

2. How the self-inflicted guilt of pursuing joy ruins everything.

3. Why a precious gift from Abby made Glennon feel like she’d finally landed in the right galaxy.

4. How the things about our partners that drive us nuts are the same things that attracted us to them.