The Marianne Williamson Podcast

The recent conflict between Israel and Hamas has caused deep questioning and soul-searching. I sat down with JStreet's Josh Lockman and Democracy for the Arab World Now's (DAWN) Raed Jarrar to discuss how peace can be accomplished, and how changes in US policy can contribute to fundamental change. JStreet DAWN Follow Marianne on Social Media @MarWilliamson on Twitter Marianne's Facebook Page @MarW...

Lana Shehadeh was on a Ph. D research trip in the West Bank when fighting broke out a couple weeks ago. No one can inform us of what's going on in the Middle East like those who are actually living there. Lana was kind enough to take some time out of her day to share with me what life is like as a Palestinian-American mother living south of Ramallah. Follow Marianne on Social Media @MarWilliamson...

With rates of depression and anxiety rising — skyrocketing during the pandemic — we're all looking for a quick fix. But a quick fix doesn't get to the root of the problem as author Johann Hari details in his book, "Lost Connections: Why You're Depressed and How to Find Hope."  Suffering from depression for most of his life, Hari set out to study why so many are struggling and what he came up with,...

One of the pioneers of the human potential movement (how many people wrote a book that John Lennon described as "the best book I ever read"?), author and futurist Jean Houston joins me to discuss a much needed shift in the orientation of our inner as well as outer lives. She has extraordinary insight into what she calls the Future Human. Jean Houston's webpage https://www.jeanhouston.com Subscribe...

Author Anne Applebaum has chronicled the rise of European right wing politics for more than two decades. Weaving history with current events, Anne stresses how fragile our democracy really is and the importance of staying vigilant against the threat of authoritarianism. Also she makes clear in this interview that just because Trump is out of office, that doesn't mean the United States is in the cl...

Anne Lamott is known for her insightful prose and deep spirituality. A best-selling author of more than 15 books, Anne's advice is sought by readers worldwide. Her latest book "Dusk, Night, Dawn" doesn't disappoint as it thoughtfully tackles issues of aging (growth), life, politics and faith. The famously progressive Annie and I go way back, and it was fun to have her join me to talk about her boo...

A doctor of functional medicine, Dr. Mark Hyman makes clear that healthy food choices are the best way to prevent and in many cases heal disease. But how can we make the best food choices when corporate forces too often conspire against our ability to do so? Hyman's work dives into this topic head-on. I sat down with Mark this week to discuss the history of our food system and how current corrupti...

Chani Nicholas is one of the most popular astrologers today, weaving social justice and politics into her weekly horoscopes. Her combination of astrological expertise and social and psychological insight has made her a huge hit on social media and for good reason. This week, Chani and I reflect on what the world is going through today, including the astrological aspects of the United States. Follo...

Dr. Gabor Maté's approach to working with patients suffering from addiction, stress and trauma has earned him worldwide praise. Maté, author of "In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts," stresses that trauma is not what happened to you, but what happens inside you and when this is acknowledged the healing process can begin. In this interview, Gabor and I discuss the larger societal issues that are causing s...

With its current re-release in China, the film AVATAR becomes the highest grossing film of all time. That's how much the people of the world are enchanted by the forests of Pandora, the wisdom of the Na'vi, and the drama of the Avatar. All of those emerge from the mind of writer-director James Cameron, known not only for his extraordinary record as a filmmaker (Titanic, the Terminator films, etc.)...

Rick Doblin, Ph. D. has been working at the intersection of psychedelics, politics & spirituality for more than 30 years. His programs have been so successful they're now in phase three trials with the FDA, the governing body that approves medication (legalization). In this conversation, Marianne and Rick discuss the role psychedelics can play in spiritual experiences, the transformative power of...

It's been more than 20 years since the movie Erin Brockovich hit the big screen. In that time, the real-life Erin Brockovich has become one of the most famous environmental activists worldwide. In today's episode, Erin and Marianne discuss finding the courage within ourselves to truly make a difference in the world, the worsening water crisis in this country and her new book, Superman's Not Coming...

California Democrat Ro Khanna joins Marianne this week for a wide-ranging discussion on issues facing all Americans. Congressman Khanna talks tech policy, his efforts to end US support for the war in Yemen, his confidence in the progressive movement and how the executive and legislative branches of government can work together in providing the American people what they need during and after the pa...

On this week's podcast, Marianne sits down with mindfulness experts and husband & wife duo, Jack Kornfield and Trudy Goodman. A pioneer in the field, Jack founded two of the most well known meditation centers in the country - Insight Meditation in Massachusetts and Spirit Rock in California. Trudy is an accomplished psychologist, teaching Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and serving as a guiding...

Christian Picciolini was a vulnerable 14-year old when approached by a leader of a neo-Nazi group in Chicago. Christian fell in with the group and remained for eight years, becoming a leader in the white supremacist skinhead movement. Today, Picciolini is free of his white supremacist background; he is a leading de-radicalizer of those who remain within its lure. In this timely conversation with M...

As we approach MLK Day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's youngest daughter, Reverend Bernice King, joins Marianne for a discussion about her father's legacy and how we can "honor him with our lives." After the interview Marianne takes listener questions. Twitter: https://twitter.com/BerniceKing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berniceaking Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekingcenter YouTube: h...

Newly elected chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, joins Marianne for an in-depth conversation about the 2020 election, progressive politics and what's needed as we move forward.  The co-chair of President-elect Joe Biden's healthcare unity task force also explains why she doesn't believe the Medicare for All bill she sponsored is ready for a floor vote.  A...

A cell biologist by training and a thought leader in the world of epigenetics, Dr. Bruce Lipton's work bridges the scientific with the spiritual. In the 70's, while working at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he discovered that our environment affects our genes. These include our thoughts and beliefs, a theory he discusses in his bestselling book, "The Biology of Belief."  His career and life...

From health care to education, policy proposals that do the most to help people live better lives are often met with the question, "But how are you going to pay for it?" That's where Stephanie Kelton - the "people's economist" - comes in. A former Chief Economist on the Senate Budget Committee and Bernie Sanders advisor, Kelton says the money is available to us right now to do everything we need t...

Jim Doty was a self-described juvenile delinquent raised in a violent and dysfunctional home when, at the age of twelve, he wandered into a magic shop and met someone who would change his life. Promising to show him REAL magic, a woman named Ruth would teach him what he later realized were methods of Eastern mysticism and higher consciousness awareness. Applying the techniques she taught him, he w...

Author Sue Monk Kidd is one of Marianne's favorite contemporary novelists. In this episode, Marianne and Sue discuss Sue's books "The Invention of Wings" and her latest, "The Book of Longings."  "The Invention of Wings" is based on the historical figures Sarah and Angelina Grimke, sisters born into a slave owning family in Charleston, South Carolina, and then converted to the anti-slavery cause. T...

Michael Lewis takes the most left brain issue and gives it right brain impact. That's exactly what he does in one of Marianne's favorite books, The Fifth Risk. The book has been called "a love letter to federal workers" by the Washington Post. In this episode, Michael and Marianne explore why a presidential transition, or lack thereof, is so critically important. The book's major theme is that "a...

Political powerhouse Nina Turner opens up to Marianne about growing up as a member of the "working poor" and how that fuels her fight for justice today. The two also discuss the importance of electing social justice warriors at the local level, the need for universal healthcare and why reparations are crucial for the nation's healing. Follow Nina: Twitter :  https://twitter.com/ninaturner Instagra...

Marianne Williamson welcomes her friend Andrew Yang to the podcast this week. They talk election results, the need for direct cash relief and the work that needs to be done as we "battle for the soul of the Democratic Party." Following the interview, Marianne answers listener questions about politics and spirituality. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EdckZRFsjWg Follow Andrew on Twi...

Some people talk and all we want to do is listen. Author and journalist Anand Giridharadas is one of those people. His most recent book, Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World, explores the rigging of the American system and how even the most altruistic billionaires are doing more harm than good while ostensibly "giving back" to society. The two also dive deep into America's dar...