Kelly Corrigan Wonders

Stephanie Doublestein wrote this letter to honor her parents Chuck and Sue on the occasion of their 50th Anniversary. Stephanie says she observed a marriage and a love not made up of flashy moments, loud declarations of romance, big jewelry surprises or grand gestures but the humble yet impressive accumulation of quiet acts of service, regular little rituals and small moments of thoughtful generos...

In 1976, Judy Woodruff began her career in journalism, thanks to sexist manager who explained that he hired her for her legs. 46 years later, she’s still making us think about the world, how it works and how it could work better. In honor of her retirement from the anchor desk at PBS News Hour, Kelly shares this conversation about where the country is right now and why. To learn more about listene...

First up, a conversation with Katie Couric, who has been in the media business for 40 some years now in a variety of roles, who has a really honed perspective on where we are, how we got here, and where we might try to get to next. After Katie, a discussion with Neal Katyal, a Georgetown law professor who has argued in front of the Supreme Court. Between Neil and Katie, we hope we come to a set of...

A stunningly beautiful eulogy comprised of notes written over many years by Paul Paroff to his friend Chris Stokes’ mother Charlotte. Charlotte was like a second mother to Paul - until she became more like his own mother and a grandmother to his son. The simplicity of the notes that are included is a reminder to us all to keep in touch, to reach out more often, to share our love and gratitude with...

After much back and forth with you all on Facebook, I came up with my most important go-to items — the things that get me through the day — and, more importantly, the ideas that ground me on the epic journey of motherhood. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/ad...

Dave Eggers and Nick Hornby are two of our best novelists, and both happen to be serious do gooders as well. With dozens of books between them, they have keen observations on society, relationships and how to have impact. Kelly sat down with them, first Dave then Nick, on the set of her PBS show Tell Me More, in part to celebrate the release of Nick’s new book on Prince and Dickens. To learn more...

MJ Murray Vachon eulogizes her daughter-in-law Madhura’s grandfather Rajagopala Sarma (called ThaTha by his family). ThaTha was a brilliant statistician working for the Indian government who placed his deep love of family above all else - even his own opportunity to purse an education at UC Berkeley when he was offered a scholarship in 1960. However, three decades later, when his daughter Raji emi...

Dave Eggers and Nick Hornby have thoughts about why and how we create. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Celebrated for her raw, hilarious accounts of stumbling toward her best self, Anne Lamott is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 20 books. Her special brand of humility, grace and gratitude makes this a must-listen episode for anyone needing a dose of inspiration. Special thanks to the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, our production partner on the Belief series. Please subscribe, ra...

Kelly Warm submitted her daughter Emery’s college essay about how much she values her family’s Sunday breakfasts, a tradition which goes back 40 years. Emery outlines all that she’s learned from her large family and what she has taught them. This beautiful essay illustrates the appreciation of connectedness and family traditions that we often think teenagers disdain. To learn more about listener d...

Everyone who knows anything about well being recommends gratitude lists. It’s a way to taste the goodness twice and relishing what is rather than pining for what could, should or might be. So here’s Kelly’s. What’s yours? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adc...

Robin Roberts, who has been saying Good Morning America for decades now, has a few hard-earned lessons to share. She was in isolation for 174 days after a bone marrow transplant to save her life. She reported from Katrina only after searching the coast for her own family. She broke every barrier in journalism on her own terms. She personifies grit, which is why we had to bring Angela Duckworth int...

What never fails to impress you? Kim Tully was asked this question at a meeting and in under 10 seconds, she came up with her answer: genuine people. People who are 100% themselves, 100% of the time. Kim’s friend Steph embodies this and today’s episode is a toast that Kim wrote to honor her. Kim says: “I respect her I admire her, I love her and I wish I was a little more like her. We can all learn...

It’s here: the time of year when we mix it up with family. Good to keep a little forgiveness handy. This episode was made to share. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Waded Cruzado was the first person in her family to go to college. She loved it. She went on to get a PhD and move from Puerto Rico to — of all places — Bozeman Montana, where she is regarded in heroic terms. She is determined to show every kid in the state what’s possible around them and within them. Her favorite day of the year is commencement. She is inspired and inspiring in equal measures...

Pete Bidstrup wrote this heartfelt tribute to his dad Lawrence “Larry” Otto Bidstrup. Larry was a husband, father, grandfather, Marine, teacher, coach, mentor, athlete, fisherman and friend. He had a way of laughing at himself, almost never missed a day of work and was always there when he said he would be. He was most definitely the kind of man anyone would want their kid to have as a teacher or...

This is a note on how to lift ourselves out of our tiny lives. Please share. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do kids become adults who can give and receive feedback? Who approach problems from multiple angles as a matter of course? Who feel safe sharing failures and asking for help? Maybe one way is by taking a class from Dr. Zach Dodds, a computer science professor at Harvey Mudd College, who is as enthusiastic about education and supporting the next generation as anyone I have ever spent time with....

Lily Janas, now a student at Bowdoin College, wrote this stirring college admissions essay called “We Rise”. She sets the scene at 2am and goes on to describe one of the most impactful experiences of her young life. The story unfolds slowly, and Lily gives clues along the way but never fully reveals what she’s a part of - until the very end. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practi...

Kelly asks Dr. Ken Ginsburg, long time pediatrician, what to do about the ultimate fear. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Santa Barbara has one of the best community colleges in the country. Kelly and her producer Tammy spent a day on the campus of Santa Barbara City College sitting in on class and talking about books, poetry, identity and society with Dr. Clara Oropeza. She describes her own intellectual awakenings in a way that helps underline the real point of college. To learn more about listener data and our pri...

Stephen Gallagher’s college essay takes a look at what could have just been a simple summer job but became so much more. It’s often a tough job, a demanding boss or an uncomfortable experience which shapes a person and changes the course of one’s life for the better. Although this essay recounts a true story, the names of the participants have been changed. To learn more about listener data and ou...

The 4th of 5 quick check ins with Dr. Ken Ginsburg about the differences between unconditional love, unconditional like and unconditional acceptance of all behaviors. Made to be shared widely with the people you count on to help you manage — and enjoy — family life. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad...

It’s easy for academia to become remote, unless you have a professor like Dr. Marcia Chatelain. She teaches history at Georgetown and spends a lot of her classroom minutes creating connections between way back then and right this minute and, as importantly, them and us. She is a Pulitzer Prize winner who isn’t afraid to claim her place as a Den Mother. For those reasons and more that you’ll hear,...

This moving essay was written by a listener as her college admissions essay. She writes about how as a kid she felt a terrific desire to control every facet of her life, which manifested in of all things, mowing the lawn with her dad. She could not help her dads’ drinking but in the mornings when they mowed together, he was sober. A beautiful essay revealing the struggle to let go. To learn more a...