What Matters with Liz

"It's the combination of the joy and the suffering that leads to a rich life." – Ann Curry

In honor of her appearing as the cover star of this issue of Woman's World, legendary journalist Ann Curry sits down with Editor-in-Chief Liz Vaccariello for a conversation about purpose, empathy, and bearing witness—recorded just weeks after Ann returned from reporting on the refugee crisis on the South Sudan border.

Ann traces her sense of purpose back to advice her father gave her at 12 years old, explains the difference between "media" and journalism, and describes the mother she met in Sudan whose story she still carries with her. She opens up about how she earns the trust of survivors of unimaginable violence, why she believes every person is capable of both great good and great harm, and how she's learned to care for her body, mind, and heart after witnessing decades of tragedy. She also reflects on turning 70 this year and what it means to grow older with purpose.

In this episode, Ann opens up about:

• The advice her father gave her at 12 that still guides her today
• Why "media is a very big thing and journalism is a very small slice"
• The decision to report from Sudan — torn meniscus, prayer, and all
• Julia, the mother in Sudan whose story has stayed with her
• How she earns the trust of survivors of sexual violence: "I just try to be a human being"
• What one person can actually do about suffering far away
• The Sandy Hook acts-of-kindness story that went viral
• "We all have the capacity for great good — and great bad. What do you decide to be?"
• How she processes the trauma of what she's witnessed
• Turning 70: "It is an achievement to grow old"

Whether you're thinking about purpose, empathy, or what it means to age well, Ann Curry offers hard-earned wisdom in this conversation.

Pick up the latest issue of Woman's World magazine on newsstands to see Ann on the cover!

Instagram: @womansworldmag

Let us know what you thought of this episode in the comments.

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"It's your job to be happy, not to be rich." – Carla Hall (quoting her grandmother, Granny Mae)

Chef. TV host. Actor. Author. Now the creator and star of a hit one-woman show. In honor of her appearing as the cover star of the September 4th issue of Woman's World, Carla Hall sits down with Editor-in-Chief Liz Vaccariello to talk about why she refuses to be defined by any one title — and what it took to finally stop shrinking herself for other people.

Carla traces her competitive streak back to accounting exams and marathons, explains how being underestimated as a 44-year-old caterer on Top Chef became one of her superpowers, and breaks down the advice that changed her second act: "become the thing before the opportunity arrives." She opens up about the moment she realized she'd been performing a role other people had written for her, the rule she now lives by — "whoever says yes to me is saying yes to all of this" — and the lesson from her grandmother that still guides every decision. Carla also previews her new cookbook, Carla Bakes, which she calls "crafting with food."

In this episode, Carla opens up about:

• Why she refuses to be just one thing — chef, host, actor, artist — and how that resonates for women reinventing themselves in midlife
• Being underestimated as an "older" contestant on Top Chef, and turning it into fuel
• The advice that changed everything: "becoming the thing before the opportunity arrived"
• The moment she realized she was playing a role other people had written for her
• Her new rule for work: "Whoever says yes to me is saying yes to all of this"
• Granny Mae's advice — "it's your job to be happy, not to be rich" — and what success looks like now
• How she became a cook (long before culinary school) as "The Lunch Lady"
• Carla Bakes, her new cookbook, and why she wants it to feel "like a play date with yourself"
• Her dream job: game show host

Whether you're rebuilding your career, redefining yourself after 50, or just tired of shrinking to fit someone else's expectations, Carla Hall delivers the humor and hard-earned wisdom you need today.

Pick up the September 4th issue of Woman's World magazine on newsstands to see Carla on the cover!

Instagram: @womansworldmag

Let us know what you thought of this episode in the comments.

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“Everything is going to be okay.” – Babs Costello

Millions know her as the internet's favorite grandmother, but Babs Costello's second act began almost by accident — a few kitchen videos filmed during the pandemic at her daughter Elizabeth's urging. In honor of her appearing as the cover star of the September 7th issue of Woman's World, Babs sits down with Editor-in-Chief Liz Vaccariello to talk about why her simple, comforting style resonated with millions, and what she's learned since.

On What Matters with Liz, Babs traces her homemaking instincts back to her mother and grandmother, explains why she and her husband fell for a rundown 1830s blacksmith shop on a Connecticut riverbank and turned it into the Basket House, and breaks down the "Babs Method" — 15 minutes in the morning, 15 minutes at night — that keeps her household running without ever feeling overwhelming.

She also opens up about food as her love language, the traditions she's built around it with her four children, and what she hopes her grandchildren remember most: not a perfectly organized home, but fishing in the river, cookies made together, and s'mores over the fire pit. Babs closes with the story of a message from a stranger that reminded her why the work she does online matters more than she ever expected.

In this episode, Babs opens up about:

• Why home became everyone's safe place during the pandemic — and how that turned into @BrunchWithBabs
• Learning homemaking from her Italian grandmother and her mother, and passing it down in turn
• Falling for the Basket House on a Connecticut riverbank before she ever saw the inside
• Renovating a nearly 200-year-old home to fit four grown kids, their spouses, and nine grandchildren
• The "Babs Method": beating the chaos of the day in 15-minute bursts, morning and night
• Why food is her love language, and how small traditions weave a family's history together
• The legacy she hopes to leave: not a perfectly kept house, but memories made together
• The DM from a stranger that reminded her why homemaking content matters
• Her new book, Homemaking With Babs, and why she calls it "the owner's manual every home deserves"

Whether you're setting up your first home, raising a big, busy family, or just looking for a calmer way through your day, Babs Costello delivers the warmth and practical wisdom you need today.

Pick up the September 7th issue of Woman's World magazine on newsstands to see Babs on the cover!

Instagram: @womansworldmag

Let us know what you thought of this episode in the comments.

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“I am a struggling human being that God still loves more than I can love myself.” ~ Patricia Heaton

She’s been called America’s beloved mom, a three-time Emmy winner, and a New York Times bestselling author, but at the heart of Patricia Heaton’s incredible career is a life anchored by faith, family and a relentless pursuit of storytelling. In honor of her appearing as the cover star of the August 24th issue of Woman’s World magazine, Patricia sits down with Editor in Chief Liz Vaccariello to share her raw, unfiltered, and deeply inspiring journey.

On What Matters with Liz, Patricia reflects on the courage it takes to leave home with only $800 in your pocket, the realities of aging in the public eye, and the life-changing power of surrender. She gets real about her path to sobriety, explaining how a hilarious yet mortifying family game night became the instant answer to a "thought-prayer" and set her on an eight-year journey of being alcohol-free.

With her signature wit and warmth, Patricia, 68, dives into the creation of Salubre, her premium line of de-alcoholized wines, and why women in midlife deserve sophisticated, low-sugar social options. She also shares the beautiful, sometimes challenging evolution of parenting four adult sons under the philosophy of "benign neglect"—keeping her Hollywood success strictly outside the home so her boys could simply have a mom.

Finally, Patricia opens up about her deep-rooted commitment to humanitarian work. She discusses her global missions with World Vision and her vocal, fearless advocacy for the October 7 Coalition, proving that when you answer the call of Hineni—"here I am, send me"—God’s plans are always bigger than your own.

In this episode, Patricia opens up about:

• Growing up in Cleveland and the courage it takes to pursue acting with zero industry connections
• The raw "thought-prayer" that led to her sobriety and why she’s celebrating eight years alcohol-free
• The inspiration behind Salubre and why non-alcoholic options are crucial for women’s health in midlife
• Parenting four adult sons and the art of practicing "benign neglect"
• How she kept her Hollywood fame completely separate from her home life
• The authentic truths behind her iconic roles as Debra Barone (Everybody Loves Raymond) and Frankie Heck (The Middle)
• The life-changing advice from Dr. Steven Gundry on cutting out inflammation and reclaiming her energy
• Her daily spiritual practices, hormone replacement therapy, and navigating the physical realities of aging
• Why she cares far less about other people's opinions in this season of her life
• Her fearless advocacy for the October 7 Coalition and standing on a stepladder at Columbia University to demand the release of hostages
• Why the world should hire people in their 50s for their unmatched wisdom and boundaries
• Her ultimate quick-fire favorites, including why On the Waterfront is the greatest movie of all time

“We need to not work harder, but surrender,” declares Patricia.

Whether you’re a mother navigating an empty nest, a woman looking to make healthier choices for your mind and body, or someone seeking the courage to step into your true calling, Patricia Heaton delivers the wisdom and laughs you need today.

Pick up the August 24th issue of Woman’s World magazine on newsstands to see Patricia on the cover!

• Instagram: @womansworldmag

Let us know what you thought of this episode in the comments.

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“I want to know people because I also want to be known by them. I want to have that connection.” ~ Jenny Mollen

She’s been called an actress, a New York Times bestselling author, and an influencer, but at the heart of Jenny Mollen’s multi-hyphenate career is storytelling driven by curiosity, humor, and connection. 

On What Matters with Liz, Jenny reflects on the importance of listening, valuing other people’s stories, and sharing your truth. She explains how writing helps her process emotion and make sense of the world.

Fearless, forthright, and unfiltered, Jenny talks about life in the public eye, her social media regrets, and why Instagram is “the ultimate narcissist.” She gets real about her marriage to Jason Biggs and how feeling like “the American Pie spare” was both frustrating and strangely freeing. She explains why she and Jason decided to protect their children’s privacy and not share their faces and why she hopes to delay giving her sons cell phones until they’re sixteen. 

Jenny also shares how dyslexia, rejection, and years of hearing “no” built her resilience and drive. She explains that every hero’s journey starts with hardship and her happy fairytale ending is for her sons to see that no matter what life throws at their mother, she’ll keep moving forward, rewrite the story and become her own hero.

“I want my kids to see that you can't keep this bitch down – she is just gonna keep going. And I want them to always keep going,” says Jenny. “I want them to have grit. I am desperate for them to have the grit.” 

In this episode, Jenny opens up about:

• Finding her voice in oversharing and turning the chaos of life into comedy 
• The anxiety of public life and why she calls Instagram “the ultimate narcissist”
• Marriage, fame, and the decision to share Jason Bigg’s infamous “American Pie” scene with their 12-year-old son
• Her scariest moment as a mother
• Her biggest social media regret
• How writing helps her understand herself and other people
• Why “Do it for the plot” became her life philosophy
• The art of listening, building connection, and community
• Why she’d still write even if the audience disappeared
• Celebrating her 40th birthday with a Bat Mitzvah ceremony in Israel
• Supporting the Kenya Education Fund and putting faith into action
• How the October 7th tragedy changed her perspective
• The loss of her soulmate pet
• Struggling with an eating disorder
• Where she finds joy during life’s darkest moments
• Dyslexia, rejection and the grit she developed hearing “no”
• Why failure no longer scares her
• Her definition of a happy fairytale ending now

“I’ve been told no so many times that no doesn’t mean anything anymore,” declares Jenny. “It’s lost its power.”

Whether you’re a mom who’s tired of pretending she has it all together, a woman starting over in midlife, or simply someone who needs a good laugh, Jenny Mollen delivers.

To hear more of Jenny’s stories, follow: 

https://www.instagram.com/jennymollen/

https://jennymollenbiggs.substack.com

Follow Woman’s World magazine at:

https://www.instagram.com/womansworldmag

Let us know what you thought of this episode in the comments. 

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“Fame has never been a motivator for me. Ever.” ~ Elizabeth Perkins

Actress Elizabeth Perkins has built a career bringing complex, unforgettable women to life - from her breakout role opposite Tom Hanks in Big to her Emmy-nominated turn on Weeds to her current role on the Netflix series Big Mistakes.

In this episode of What Matters with Liz, she reflects on her messiest and most memorable roles, the lessons she’s learned over four decades in Hollywood (including some from Elizabeth Tayor!) and how aging has strengthened her as an actress and a woman.

But this isn’t a conversation just about Hollywood. It’s about being human - the frustrating, three-years that led to being diagnosed with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) and the importance of advocating for yourself, the burnout that led to moving to a farm and the joy found in nature, the grief of an empty nest and the freedom to pursue what makes you feel alive.

In this episode, Elizabeth shares:

• Why she’s drawn to characters with secrets, flaws, and hidden vulnerabilities
• How “faking it till you make it” helped launch her Hollywood career
• What she misses about Celia Hodes - and if she thinks a Weeds reboot will happen
• How a “fangirling” moment led to working with Dan Levy on Big Mistakes
• What she learned from Elizabeth Taylor 
• What she’s learned about aging 
• Why she’s grateful to Jean Smart
• What it was like working with Tom Hanks on Big
• Her new series Cry Wolf with Olivia Coleman - and their surprising bonds
• Her journey to being diagnosed with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) and why women must advocate for their health
• Why she moved from Los Angeles to a farm
• How art, yoga, meditation and nature bring her peace
• How the lessons we learn about being likeable can keep us from being authentic 
• Why fame and awards were never her motivation
• What she loves about true crime  - especially Snapped
• The importance of working with people who lead with integrity and kindness
• Why self acceptance matters more to her now ever

She also opens up about the liberating realization that “nobody cares”—so you might as well be yourself.

Follow Elizabeth Perkins at: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethperkins/

Follow Woman’s World at: https://www.instagram.com/womansworldmag

Thanks for subscribing to What Matters with Liz. Let us know what you thought of this episode in the comments!  

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“You’ll only be happy if you’re curious.” — Prue Leith

After nine seasons of The Great British Baking Show (known as The Great British Bake Off in the UK), Prue Leith is stepping away from the beloved series. On this episode of What Matters with Liz, she reveals her first impression of Paul Hollywood, her favorite moments on set, and the real reason she’s leaving a TV show watched by millions.

“I’m running out of time. I haven’t very many years left—certainly not decades. So things I’ve always thought, ‘I’ll do that one day,’ I better damn well do them now,” she says.

At 86, Prue isn’t slowing down—she’s changing direction. The celebrated chef, writer, and restaurateur wants more: more travel, more time with family, and more freedom to create the projects she’s most passionate about.

In her book Being Old and Learning to Love It, Prue explores the realities and taboos of aging, along with its unexpected joys. She opens up about grief, falling in love again, and what it means to live boldly at every stage of life.

In this episode, Prue shares:

• Behind-the-scenes stories from The Great British Baking Show
• The real reason she’s leaving the show
• Her advice to Nigella Lawson
• A tour of her Cotswolds kitchen
• Her biggest career failure—and the lesson it taught her
• Her secret to living with energy and enthusiasm at any age
• How she grieved the loss of her first husband and found love again
• The question you should never ask a widow
• What it’s like to fall in love in your 70s
• Her advice for living boldly and joyfully
• Her one regret
• Why she believes the greatest sin is boredom
• The places she still wants to visit
• Why she loves color
• How women can embrace fashion in their later years
• Which of her books is her favorite—and which one could become a movie
• What she’s most excited about in her next chapter

With refreshing honesty, Prue reminds us that the secret to a beautiful life isn’t complicated:

“Eat well, sleep well, and love well.”

And those are things we can all strive for.

Thanks for subscribing to What Matters with Liz. Let us know what you thought of this episode in the comments!  

For recipes, books, and more from Prue, visit: https://prue-leith.com/

Follow Prue on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/prueleith/

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• Amy Grant has six Grammy Awards, 26 Dove Awards, and a music career that spans genres and generations. But this conversation isn’t about awards and accolades. It’s about what happens when life cracks us wide open and we face unimaginable struggles. It’s about embracing stillness and looking inward for answers…and the freedom and strength that emerge.

The Me That Remains is Amy’s first album in more than a decade and, in many ways, her most personal. After undergoing open-heart surgery and surviving a bicycle accident that caused a traumatic brain injury, months of slow, quiet recovery unlocked a new depth of creativity in the songwriter.

On this episode of What Matters with Liz, she opens up about her challenges, how they changed her, and who she is now. As she sings on the title track, “Life cut me wide open, when my head hit the ground. Wasn’t my time for dying, guess my soul just stuck around. Out of this wreckage, I’m beginning to claim the gifts in the healing - and the me that remains.”

Amy shares:

• How a bike accident and traumatic brain injury (TBI) changed her life

• Why slowing down and simplifying led her to write new music

• Her advice to those in a season of uncertainty or rebuilding

• How her limitations changed the way she writes music

• Her songwriting process and why it’s all about saying “something that matters”

• Why people in their 60s need music that reflects their perspective

• How the Covenant School shooting in Nashville impacted her

• The tender final moments of her mother’s life and how they changed how she sees death

• What the hit song “El Shaddai” means to her — and how it almost didn’t make the album

• Why she crossed over from Christian music to mainstream pop

• How her faith has evolved

• Why she embraces the mystery of faith – and why Jesus remains the one being she trusts

• Which three songs in her music catalog are her favorites

• How The Book of Forgiving by Desmond Tutu and Mpho Tutu led her on a path of forgiveness

• Why she’s committed to Compassion International – and the story of how she reconnected with her first sponsored child

• How a checkup with husband, Vince Gill, led to the discovery of her previously undiagnosed, rare congenital heart defect

• The untold story of reclaiming her great-grandfather’s legacy in a six-year legal battle

• How small everyday choices can have a huge impact

• How you can give to others while honoring your capacity

• Why “every good thing starts with gratitude”

This conversation reminds us that self exploration, expression, and evolution is a lifelong journey and that discovering new versions of ourselves, while honoring who we’ve been, creates a dynamic and beautiful life.

Because what matters…is what remains.

For more on Amy Grant visit:

https://www.amygrant.com/

https://www.instagram.com/amygrantofficial

To connect with Host Liz Vaccariello and for more conversations that matter visit:

https://www.youtube.com/@RealWomansWorld

https://www.instagram.com/womansworldmag/

For more stories you’ll love, visit womansworld.com

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“Happiness is great, but joy is for the rest of us.” - Kate Bowler

What does it mean to be joyful… anyway?

Five-time New York Times bestselling author, Duke University professor, and host of the podcast Everything Happens, Kate Bowler, sits down with Liz for a conversation about joy that doesn’t ignore how hard life can be—it starts there. 

At 35, with a young child and her dream job, Kate was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. Now, ten years later and in durable remission, she’s still living inside the question: How do you hold joy and grief at the same time?

In her new book Joyful Anyway, Kate articulates what most of us feel but rarely admit– the ache: a subtle, persistent sense that something is missing. With the diligent curiosity of a researcher and the wry humor of a comedian, Kate dismantles the clichés of toxic positivity and examines how authentic joy finds us. 

This is a conversation about what happens when you stop trying to skip to the good part and let life be messy, tell the truth instead of performing resilience, and stay open to the unexpected, technicolor moments of life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference between joy and happiness
• Why Joyful Anyway is a response to a life that doesn’t follow the script
• How Kate’s cancer diagnosis reshaped her faith—and her relationship to certainty
• Why toxic positivity can distance us from real joy
• What “the ache” is—and it might be the most honest part of being human
• The common obstacles that keep us from experiencing joy
• Why ruthless honesty is the first step to making space for joy
• How joy actually shows up (hint: it’s rarely convenient or controlled)
• Why there’s no 5-step plan to joy
• How a poisonous snake bite became an unexpected moment of healing for Kate
• Why joy and grief aren’t opposites—they’re companions
• How purpose, love, and hope can lead us back to joy

Because maybe joy isn’t something you chase.  

Maybe it chases you.

“I thought I had to have a lucky life to have it be deeply beautiful” says Kate. “I don't believe that anymore. I think that joy is made for everyone–no matter what–and I think it will chase us down.”

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Jennie Garth - you know her as Kelly Taylor from Beverly Hills, 90210. But in this conversation, you’ll meet the woman behind the role - one who’s far more complex, introspective, and insightful.

In this episode of What Matters with Liz, Jennie explains how her iconic 90210 line, “I choose me” developed a new meaning at midlife. It wasn’t until her 50s, after years of personal highs, lows, and deep inner work, that she understood what it means to choose herself.

Jennie reflects on some of the hardest chapters of her life - from her painful divorce to a frightening wake-up call. Through therapy, self-reflection, and acceptance, she began to rebuild from the inside out.

“I started to slow down enough to connect with the things in my life that had made me, molded me into who I am,” she says. “I looked at all the past triumphs and all the past failures, and I really started to self-reflect on how I got here—and also, where the hell do I go next?”

Together, Liz and Jennie explore what it really means to choose yourself—not as an act of selfishness, but as a necessary step toward clarity, healing, and purpose.

In this episode, Jennie shares:

● Why “I choose me” meant something completely different in her 20s vs. her 50s

● How growing up in the public eye shaped her identity—and what it took to reclaim it

● What it was like to revisit Beverly Hills, 90210 as an adult

● How motherhood redefined what matters most

● The moment she woke up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there

● The inner work she did in therapy—and what changed

● Why choosing yourself isn’t selfish (and why it’s necessary)

● How slowing down helped her reconnect with her own voice

● The unexpected experience that sparked a deeper spiritual shift

● How reframing being “emotional” as “emotion-full” changed her perspective

● The relationship belief she finally let go of

● What her mother taught her about empowerment

● Why Taylor Swift’s “You’re On Your Own, Kid” resonated so deeply

● Her daily practices to quiet her inner critic

● How revisiting the past can unlock clarity and purpose

This is a conversation about identity, self-trust, and the courage it takes to finally put yourself on your own list.

As Jennie reminds us, “It's time for you to take control, take the reins, and start choosing to trust your instincts…We can always choose ourselves. And it’s not selfish—we need to do it.”

Follow Woman’s World at: https://www.instagram.com/womansworldmag/

Follow Jennie Garth at: https://www.instagram.com/jenniegarth/

I Choose Me: Chasing Joy, Finding Purpose & Embracing Reinvention by Jennie Garth is available now wherever books are sold.

#IChooseMe #Healing #Transformation #Reinvention #Midlife #Motherhood #Divorce #LifeAfterLoss #WomenOver50 #BeverlyHills90210 #JennieGarth #WhatMattersWithLiz

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