I Just Have to Say with Laura Max

In this very special episode with a very special Rabbi that I've come to call a friend, Rabbi Shais Taub tells us about God's forgiveness as we head into the holiest day of the Jewish year, Yom Kippur. Whether you're Jewish or not, I encourage you to listen to this episode in which Rabbi Shais Taub answers questions like: Does God get angry? Will God forgive me for my mistakes? How do...

In the past year, I’ve fallen head over heels into the world of romance novels—and in doing so, I stumbled into an equally addictive universe called Bookstagram . That’s where I discovered Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone , a book that’s landed on countless “must-read” and “best of 2025” lists—and rightfully so. It also just became a USA Today bestseller ! I had never read one of Cara’s books b...

Join me for my second interview with author Matt Brand as we dig into the life-altering moment he experienced that prompted him to transform his health, which he once thought of as "fine." If you're wanting to transform or improve your own health and are unsure of where to start, this episode is a great place to begin your journey as Matt shares exceedingly practical tips for increas...

Can you really talk to God? Does he really answer you? According to Neale Donald Walsch, it's an abounding "yes. " Join me and bestselling author of " Conversations with God", Neale Donald Walsch, as we delve into his most recent book, " GODTALK ", and what it really means to have a real dialogue with the divine in modern times. To learn more about Neale and his 4...

You might be used to coming to this podcast for spiritual wisdom and parenting advice (and the occasional book review), but please stop everything because we have to discuss Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively. On this episode on IJHTS with Laura Max, Attorney Taly Thiessen from Thiessen Law Firm weighs in on the legal drama none of us can stop reading about: what's happening now, and what we can anti...

75% of Americans are overweight or obese. The problem according to Justin Nault? We aren’t eating enough. With nearly half a million followers on TikTok, nutritional therapist Justin Nault has acquired a massive following by relaying simple, mind-blowing truths about what we’re really putting in our bodies, why we really can’t lose weight and why our collective health is in crisis. If you think yo...

Why is it so important to have a present father? What makes a good, present father in the first place? What is the biggest reason we get into toxic relationships as an adult? What do we lose control over when it comes to our own children if we don't do this one thing? How do we learn to embrace our own worth and value if we had broken relationships with one or more parents? In this conversation wi...

I might have reached out to Marianne only a few days ago to ask her to be a guest on this show, but anyone who’s known me for a long time knows that I’ve been prepping for this interview at least a decade and a half - in 2012, my byline for an online magazine I was writing for read “Laura Max is a lover of big shoes, dark chocolate, and Marianne Williamson.” Beginning her career known as the spiri...

Feeling a little anxious? Wondering what's going to happen tomorrow or worried about next month or next year or even life after death? Join me for a conversation with Rabbi Mendel Mintz as we dive into Jewish wisdom that helps us navigate fear of the unknown and abounding complex dynamics within our country. In this episode, we discuss: Election Day Life after death according to Judaism Why what w...

This week, I sit down with designer and entrepreneur David Peck, whose story has roots in churches associated with the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) — yes, the same fundamentalist Christian organization made famous by the Duggar family. Known for its rigid beliefs around patriarchy, authority, and gender roles, IBLP shaped a very particular worldview for those who grew up in its teachi...

It's not every morning I feel like I need to grab my microphone as quickly as possible so I can tell everyone who will listen about a new line of skincare products that I'm obsessed with...but this morning was that morning. After coming across some very persuasive instagram ads for Prequel Skincare that featured videos of their founder, Dr. Samantha Ellis, raving about their Multi Quench serum, I...

In this solo episode, I lighten things up with a fun comparison between Botox and Dysport before diving into something more profound—Yom Kippur. I share my own miraculous story from last year and unpack the true meaning of atonement for anyone who feels weighed down by guilt or shame. Whether you're Jewish or not, tune in for a fresh perspective on how to approach the year ahead with hope, real po...

Megan Birkel - a fan-favorite guest of mine and a fan-favorite in general - is used to asking her followers if they have any questions for her throughout the week. There's a reason for that: there's practically nothing this woman can't sell me, and following her has totally eliminated my need to spend hours scrolling through product reviews as Megan has proved herself as one of the mos...

A few weeks ago, my mom got me one of the best presents I've ever received: an Oura Ring! If you don't know what the Oura Ring is, it's a smart ring that serves as a wellness tracker and helps you understand vital info about your sleep patterns, daily readiness, fertility + cycle, stress levels + more, and in this episode I'm talking about all of the ways in which mine has truly CH...

Tune into this episode for my thoughts on several AMAZING recent reads, including: Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica (Mystery) Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan (Romance, Mystery) The Things we Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros PLUS: I've read all 24 books written by Colleen Hoover. Tune into this episode for the five b...

Yep, you read that right: I have three daughters, and each of them is in a different school. I spent a long time this summer thinking about how I would make it work, and this morning, I pulled off the first drop off succesfully and have so much to share with you on how I'm doing things differently this year. Links I mentioned: The Five Minute Journal (if you buy nothing else this year, buy thi...

I've been waiting to see the movie adaptation of "It Ends With Us" starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni for what feels like forever and last night, I finally got to see it on the night it came out! In this episode, I'm sharing my completely candid and detailed review (spoiler alert!) as someone who has read all 24 of Colleen Hoover's books. Watch the movie, then listen to...

It's a widespread millennial parenting hack: kids who won't sleep? Give them some melatonin. But is it good for them? Is it bad for them? Does anyone know the answers? In this week's episode of IJHTS, Dr. Josh Tal, a sleep psychologist, is weighing in on the role melatonin can play in our sleep cycle and habits, plus how to build healthy sleep habits for yourself and your family member...

Parenting is full of pivotal moments that ask us to summon the highest version of ourselves (and all of our courage) without warning. From ushering his daughter through her first day of Kindergarten to giving the sex talk, Matt Brand, the author of "Nature and Nurture: one father's journey through the fog of parenting," is talking all about what it's been like to raise two daught...

Have you ever been to a psychic? Do you think it's all just a bunch of hocus pocus or are you a true believer? Either way, Psychic Julee is here to help you hone your own psychic abilities and really get what you want out of life (hint: it's not about "wanting.") In this episode, we discuss: How Julee sees the future How you can see your own How to really listen to your intuition...

I originally shared this podcast on 5/23/24, and I'm re-broadcasting it so it's available on this feed as I switched feeds from the original about a month ago. Here's the original summary: This is my first official interview on this podcast and trust me, you don't want to miss it! Listen the whole way through to hear one of my most beloved podcast guests from my previous podcast, L...

I know I've said it before, but DO NOT MISS this one-of-a-kind episode of "I Just Have to Say with Laura Max." Matchmaker Gaby Aratow of Keeper Introduction Services (KIS) here in Aspen, Colorado isn't wasting one minute of our hour-long episode with boring conversation. In this densely-packed exchange, we discuss: What makes people a great match Why some great matches don't...

I met Catalina Gallegos on my first day of freshman year at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. 21 years later (!!!) she's coming on the podcast with her 10+ years of experience in research and the field of psychology to talk about how habit stacking and other happiness and productivity hacks have optimized her joy in life as a mother of three. In this episode, we discuss: How...

About a week ago, half of my social media shared the now-viral AI image with text that read "All Eyes on Rafah." The other half shared another viral AI image, "Where were your eyes on October 7th?" This contrast underscored our state of division as we find ourselves injesting more and more conflicting news on the war in Israel each day. My guest on this podcast, Daniel Farber,...

"What Season am I in?" It's a quiz I've taken way too many times, and I always come out with a different answer! Natalie is on the show to set the record straight and help me get closer to the answer, and to help anyone listening know how to dress their best each day. Even more, we go into: How to look your best and gain the TRUST of your audience on Zoom with one very surprising...