Kelly Corrigan Wonders

A letter to my children about giving up and when it’s just fine to walk. 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

This episode of Thanks For Being Here began with a voice message left by listener Jennifer Drohan. Jenn explained that while she enjoyed the Live From College series, as the mother of two older children with autism, she found it somewhat painful to listen to…her children will not be going to college. Kelly asked Jenn if she would like to write something we could share and the result was this moving, illuminating and important essay called, “Forever Parents”. Jenn shines a light on the differences parents face in preparing their children for adulthood. 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

Sometimes, even when things go precisely as you hoped they would, change hurts. Kelly was a guest on a podcast called A Slight Change of Plans, hosted by Dr. Maya Shankar, who was curious to know how empty nesting was going. The conversation was so rich that it felt worth sharing here. This one is for every parent you know. Pass it on. 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

Please note that this episode references addiction and suicide. Teri Rose wrote this loving remembrance of her son Ryland. Ryland was a light in this world who struggled with anxiety, depression and addiction. As Teri said, “He didn’t have a drug problem, he had a life problem. He was saddled with depression and anxiety, which led to his trying to make himself feel better and reduce the noise in his head.” This beautiful eulogy helps to paint the full picture of Ryland: a unique combination of funny, stubborn, difficult and smart. Ryland shined brightly - especially in the darkest places. 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

For a special listener who was just diagnosed, here are some thoughts on the stages of recovery that I encourage you to share with every last person you know who is in treatment for anything. 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

Kelly’s guest is actress and author Constance Wu - you may know her from her roles in the breakthrough tv show Fresh Off the Boat and the blockbuster film Crazy, Rich Asians. Constance shares her experiences as an actress in Hollywood both on and off screen: the privilege and responsibility of representation, being a true artist, navigating social media and an incident which took her to a very dark place. Special thanks to PBS for supporting Tell Me More and this podcast series. You can watch this episode of Tell Me More anytime at pbs.org/kelly. Thank you also to the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. 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

Mary Hope wrote this thoughtful, open-hearted letter to her community to introduce her son Alex - who had previously been known to all as Jenna, her daughter. Kelly Corrigan Wonders listeners will be familiar with Alex’s story as we shared it in the episode “A Mother Son Story of the Ultimate Transition” and it was also replayed it in the For the Good of the Order feed. Today, we’re sharing this letter which Mary Hope wrote to officially introduce Alex because we find the kindness, transparency and unconditional love in it to be so inspiring. 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

Kelly shares her own “go to” mantra as well as two blessings from frequent Kelly Corrigan Wonders guest Kate Bowler and her co-author/friend/podcast producer Jessica Richie’s beautiful and extremely useful book: The Lives We Actually Have (100 Blessings for Imperfect Days). The book is full of warm and witty blessings found within the struggles of our shared humanity, from the New York Times bestselling authors of Good Enough. 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

No one understands what makes a character sing better than Michael Lewis. The Big Short, Moneyball, Liar’s Poker, these stories stand for whole industries because Michael Lewis puts just the right protagonist in the center. He is also the father to three great characters, including Dixie, who was killed in a head on collision in May of 2021. This is one of the most moving and important conversations we’ve ever shared and we thank PBS for supporting this work as well as the Lafayette Library and Learning Center for hosting the shoot. 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

Barbara Michelman wrote this love letter to her mother Dorthea after she died at 89. Barbara said, “My mom was not one for public displays of emotion, she would have hated me crying at her own service. So, I didn’t read this at her funeral. Instead I stood in front of my church family and cried while reading it.” Barbara’s letter is a beautiful tribute to her hard-working, no-fuss mom who had grit and love to spare. 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