Wild Precious Life

Derdriu Ring always knew she wanted to act, and when she moved from Ireland to the United States, she continued to make this dream come true. Derdriu has performed sold-out shows from Los Angeles to Dublin and she joins us this week to talk about the magic and mystery of her craft. Annmarie and Derdriu discuss the importance of listening, working as an ensemble, and how to welcome adventures into...

Nayomi Munaweera is currently drafting her third novel. However, her first book took over ten years to write. Through dozens of revisions, rejections, and doubts, Nayomi learned the craft and never gave up on her dream. She felt in her bones she was meant to be a writer. Annmarie speaks with Nayomi about her immigrant childhood, teenage shenanigans, and what it really means to do the sacred work o...

Jonathan Penner is an actor and screenwriter well-known for his multiple appearances on the show Survivor. But he joins us today to talk about arguably his most important role: caregiver for his wife, Stacy Title, an Academy Award-nominated director, screenwriter, and producer, who passed away in 2021. Annmarie and Jonathan talk about love stories, the creative life, and what happens after happily...

In this episode, Annmarie speaks with writer and therapist Lori Gottlieb about the power of talk therapy to transform our story. After jobs in television, journalism, and even a stint in medical school, Lori finally found her calling in psychotherapy. She has been on both the giving and receiving end of therapeutic wisdom and Lori teaches us how to unlearn old habits and foster new connections. Le...

Does poetry scare you? Does it leave you feeling more lost than found? If so, you aren’t alone. In this episode, Annmarie talks to poet Vanessa Angélica Villareal about owning your truth, storytelling as survival, and the intergenerational power of Dirty Dancing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Annmarie first met Sanyin in college. They passed each other in the halls and said, “Hey.” But it wasn’t until years later that they actually connected and became friends. In this episode, we catch up with Sanyin, who is now an executive coach and thought leader. She teaches us that when we look for the awesomeness in others, we can also find greatness in ourselves.  Learn more about your ad choic...

Matthew Paul Turner was raised in a religious family and has spent his career authoring books about faith. However, in this episode, Annmarie and Matthew talk about the importance of uncertainty, questions, and doubt. Matthew reminds us that doubt and belief can work together as both children and adults grow in love, faith, and understanding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad...

Eliese Goldbach was a part-time seasonal house painter. She had no health care. She felt lost. Then she applied for a job as a steelworker and spent three years stirring molten iron, driving a forklift, and galvanizing metal. She did something completely outside of her comfort zone. And it changed her. It forged her as a human and a writer. It helped her be brave. In this episode, Annmarie and Eli...

Mikki Kendall is a writer, activist, and “occasional feminist” whose book, Hood Feminism, challenges us to rethink our perspectives on what it means to be a woman, an ally, and a progressive member of any community. Annmarie and Mikki discuss education reform, sexuality, affordable housing, and whether watching The Muppet Show can be both escapist AND a feminist battle cry.  Learn more about your...

Francisco X. Stork spent thirty-three years working at one job, but felt in his heart he was called to pursue another. He is a grandfather now and has just published his 9th book. Francisco draws upon his experiences as a Mexican immigrant to write captivating stories for young readers. Annmarie and Francisco discuss do-overs, chess, hopeful endings, and how to resist putting a time limit on our d...

When was the last time you did something that scared you? Not just bungee jumping or mountain biking, but even little fears, like talking to a stranger or asking for a raise at work? This week, Annmarie talks to author, educator, and executive coach Rachel Simmons about the importance of taking risks and exercising our “failure muscles.” Rachel reminds us that NOT being amazing is actually an impo...

Whether he’s empowering kids around the world to see the film Black Panther or providing food and shelter to thousands of families during the Covid pandemic, Frederick Joseph is a tireless agent of social change. His book, The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person, is a gateway for both young people and adults to talk about racism and how to combat it. Fred and Annmarie discuss what it mean...

When Katherine Standefer woke up in a parking lot with gravel in her forehead, she knew her life would never be the same. The incomparable author of Lightning Flowers takes us on a medical and spiritual journey as she discovers how to navigate life with a defibrillator in her chest. Annmarie and Katherine discuss their difficult experiences with the healthcare system, Katherine's global journey to...

Emily Ford recently became the first woman to solo hike the entire Ice Age Trail in winter. Emily’s love of the outdoors, her incurable optimism, and SAY YES spirit will have you donning hiking boots and heading for a walk in the woods. Annmarie talks to Emily (and her trusty sidekick Diggins) about trail magic, the kindness of strangers, and how all of us are so much stronger than we realize. Lea...

Bunmi Laditan is a mom, writer, and self-proclaimed "domestic failure." She has written a number of fantastic books including the hilarious Honest Toddler, and her most recent heartfelt title, Dear God. In this episode, Bunmi walks us through lessons in faith, grace, love, and forgiveness. Annmarie and Bunmi discuss normalizing anxiety, how humor can be born from adversity, and how to survive when...

Join author, educator, and learner, Annmarie Kelly as she laughs, cries, and kvetches with the writers, musicians, entrepreneurs, and wanderers who inspire all of us to reach beyond our divisions and discover what it means to be wild, precious, and brave. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices