Sherri Coale wrote a deeply-felt “you got this” letter to her son Colton in the days before his wedding. She was certain that if she tried to say all of the important things she wanted him to know, “nonsensical drivel wrapped in tears, would land in his lap”. So, she sat down and wrote him this loving, sage advice-filled letter. This is a great GOTO to share with any young couple you may know…and maybe even your partner. (Previously aired)

Funny with a touch of Irish melancholy. That's how actor, director, producer Edward Burns described Molly, his mother, to me and my co-host, Christy Turlington Burns (who has been married to Eddie for 20+ years). In celebration of his new novel, A Kid From Marlboro Road, Eddie joined us in studio to talk about childhood, parenthood and grief.

Our About Your Mother series has raised funds to support safe and respectful pregnancy, delivery and postpartum care in 9 countries through Every Mother Counts, founded in 2010 and led every day since by Christy Turlington Burns. Please join us with a donation here. Maternal health is a human right.

With special thanks to Tracy and David at Laughing Man Studios in Tribeca who support this series with pro bono studio time and superb coffee.

Got feedback? Have an idea? We love to hear from listeners. Write us anytime — hello@kellycorrigan.com - or sign up for our weekly list of takeaways here.

Check out our earlier episodes from the About Your Mother series:

Jennifer Garner

Amy Schumer

Bono

Cindy Crawford

Spike Lee

Welcome to Shook By A Book, a 5 part series where we talk to big time American thinkers about transformative reading experiences. We're kicking off the set with a conversation with the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy. Early in his med school days, a friend tipped him off to a book she found life-changing: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and Vivek dove in head first. Join us to find out how The Alchemist helped him move on after a devastating family experience and find his footing in a career he has loved.

Also mentioned in this episode is the book: Conversations with God.

Special thanks to the Teagle Foundation for their generous support of our Shook By A Book series.

Listener Duncan Keegan submitted this astonishingly beautiful eulogy which he wrote and delivered for his five year-old son Ruairí. We were so deeply moved when we first read it that we reached out to Duncan to see if he would consider reading it himself for today’s episode. He kindly agreed and said, “I hope it helps some grieving parents out there, especially the fathers. I think some fathers find it hard to find the voice.” We hope this stunning tribute helps anyone who is mourning the loss of a dear loved one to feel less alone.

How do people come to change their minds? Hint: it’s not because of some novel argument or just the right amount of pressure. Thanks to conversations with Monica Guzman and Michael Lewis, I came to see something more clearly. This is one to share with anyone you wish you could talk to more openly and comfortably about contentious issues. (Previously aired)

Judd Apatow is curious, unassuming and forthcoming in this conversation with Kelly about his mom, his daughters, the business that needs improving and the work he loves. Filmed for Kelly’s PBS show Tell Me More in Los Angeles in celebration of Judd’s new film, The Bubble. After talking to Judd, Kelly sat down with Columbia’s George Bonanno to talk about a key part of Judd’s history and how it relates to George’s work on resilience. (Previously aired)

Tim and Julie Vasquez submitted two lovely essays that Tim wrote when it was time to send their sons off to college. We loved both and today we’re airing the first one called, “The Drive to Oregon”. It’s a beautiful reminder to us all that although the destination is important, it’s the journey that really matters. (Previously aired)

Confessions and thoughts on all the ways our biases mess up how we think and how that locks us into boring, no-growth positions from the stage of The Nantucket Project, a great weekend-long think session with some of the nicest people I have ever met. (You should meet me there next year, Sept 26-29, 2024.) (Previously aired)