The Bright Side

The busiest time of year can be magical, but it can often lead to burnout — especially if you're a wife or mother. So, on today’s show, we want to break down how to care for ourselves while we show up for everyone in our lives, with inaugural Hello Sunshine Collective member Libby Ward. She is a digital creator, mental health advocate, and creator of the platform "Diary of An Honest Mom." She brings plenty of tips for how to set boundaries with family members and kids, and how to manage your time so this magical time of year can actually feel magical. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All of us struggle with saying no to situations, people, and dynamics in our lives. Today we’re diving into developing healthy boundaries with licensed therapist and relationship expert Nedra Tawwab. She’s the author of the New York Times bestselling book “Set Boundaries, Find Peace,” as well as “Drama Free” and “Consider This.” She breaks down the difference between healthy, rigid, and porous boundaries and also gives us a great perspective on boundary setting around the holidays. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Confidence coach and author Susie Moore shares her expert tips for making the most of networking during the holiday season. By tapping into the "holiday glow" and crafting genuine, thoughtful connections, Susie encourages us to reframe networking as relationship building — whether it's reconnecting with old colleagues or reaching out to new contacts. She also offers practical advice on how to approach cold emails, make meaningful asks, and leverage your existing network to create new opportunities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The holidays are coming fast. Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin of “The Home Edit” share tips for staying organized through the whirlwind that is the holiday season. Plus, they give a sneak peek into ABC’s reboot of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” which will feature Clea and Joanna! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pop culture anthropologist and internet personality Blakeley Thornton joins the show to give an all-access pass to the “Wicked” movie premiere! He, Danielle, and Simone dive into the star-studded fashion, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo's emotional bond, and the profound impact the film is having on audiences. They debate this year's Sexiest Man Alive from "People," (John Krasinski…?) and call out some alternatives. Plus, they ask the age-old question: Is it ever a good idea to get back with your ex? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we are back with another installment of “Mom Friend,” a judgment-free zone to explore the often-overwhelming work of parenting. Emily Oster is back. She is an economist, bestselling author of “Expecting Better” and “Cribsheet,” and is the CEO of ParentData. We unpack what the data says about all the parenting concerns that arise from birth through the preschool years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How fluffy is YOUR hippocampus? Dr. Wendy Suzuki, a neuroscientist and expert on brain plasticity, joins to share all about the incredible effects of exercise on the brain. Dr. Suzuki reveals how regular movement (especially aerobic exercise) does more than keep our bodies healthy — it actually changes the structure of our brains, boosting memory, focus, and mood. She shares her personal journey of discovering the power of exercise (even a ten-minute walk!) and explains how we can all use movement to create a “fluffy hippocampus,” improve cognitive function, and protect against age-related decline. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So much of the advice we get on negotiation is about acting a certain way or adopting a particular posture. Negotiation expert and Wharton School professor Mori Taheripour offers actionable advice on how to close the deal — while staying true to your authentic self. She shares her insights on why women often struggle with self-advocacy in negotiations, offering practical tools to boost confidence and reclaim power at the bargaining table. Plus, she reveals her own pre-negotiation pep talk and the ultimate hype song! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mary Bonnet is a cast member from the glamorous world of “Selling Sunset” and the author of the new memoir “Selling Sunshine.” She opens up about her incredible journey — becoming a mother at 16, overcoming personal traumas, and more — and how it all fueled her determination to succeed in both her personal life and career. Mary also dives into her fertility journey and how her husband, Romain, has helped with her healing. Plus, we get the inside scoop on what it’s really like behind the scenes of “Selling Sunset” — from the drama to the real estate deals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you grow up in a snack house, or an ingredient house? It's Feel Good Friday! Danielle and Simone are joined by showrunner Tim Palazzola for a good-vibes, laughter-filled episode. They dive into inspiring stories from the New York Marathon, the tale of a woman who found love at Home Depot with the help of some "questionable" advice, and the power of trusting your intuition. Plus, Tim shares what a showrunner actually does! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the show, we’re celebrating the launch of Hello Sunshine’s brand new wine label, Drop of Sunshine. Guiding Danielle and Simone in a tasting is master sommelier Gillian Ballance, who helps demystify the heady world of wine tasting, and talks through festive holiday pairings. Plus, legendary broadcaster Angela Yee gives her perspective on business, community, and being a boss entrepreneur. To buy your bottle of Drop of Sunshine, use code BRIGHTSIDE15 Code expires at 11:59pm on December 31, 2024. One time use per customer. Cannot be combined with other offers. No minimum purchase required. Discount applies to sub-total, does not impact taxes and shipping costs. Enjoy Responsibly. Drop of Sunshine, Sonoma, CA. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is National Stress Awareness Day. It’s a tremendously stressful time but there’s so much hope! Judith Moskowitz is a psychologist and Northwestern University professor who studies the unique mental and physical health effects of positive emotions. She comes on the show to break down all the ways you can embrace a positive mindset in your life today and into the future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Election Day! As we celebrate the power of making our voices heard at the ballot box, Danielle and Simone are joined by acclaimed historian Dr. Martha S. Jones to discuss the courageous women who fought to make women’s right to vote a reality and to honor the unsung heroes who have carried that torch into the present day. Dr. Jones is a professor of history at Johns Hopkins University and the author of “Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes the barrier to entry with investing comes down to vocabulary: What’s an ETF? A bond? A stock? Simran Kaur is here to get you started if you have never invested before. She is an entrepreneur and founder of the platform Girls That Invest. She brings concise, clear, and actionable advice on where to start if you’re new to investing, and debunks some of the “common knowledge” many women have been fed about their abilities to manage and invest money. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chelsea Devantez is a TV writer, the author of the memoir “I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This,” and the host of the podcast “Glorious Trash.” She joins Simone and Danielle to dive into the pop culture moments of the week, from Tina Knowles’ memoir “Matriarch,” to People’s Sexiest Man of the Year, to Tom Hanks’ comments on aging. They also debate dating rules that feel… well… dated. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our first-ever Halloween episode, Danielle and Simone are joined by comedian and Halloween enthusiast Lauren Lapkus. They dive into the spooky season with laughs and chills, sharing details about Lauren's hilarious podcast, “Haunting,” where she brings real ghost stories to life through her character Theresa—a dead influencer stuck between worlds. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For those of us who have ever asked “Who am I?” — this one’s for you. Dr. Sara Kuburic — aka The Millennial Therapist — has asked herself this question, and dedicated her career to helping others answer it. She delves into the distinction between our identity and our roles, how we often lose ourselves in the expectations placed upon us, and how taking responsibility can be sexy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dive deep with us into the spookiest dating trend of all: GHOSTING! Dating coach and host of “The Sabrina Zohar Show” Sabrina Zohar returns to the show to unpack why people ghost and how to better deal with this modern disappearing act. As we dig into emotional availability and communication styles, Sabrina helps us navigate the confusion that comes with being left on read. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While overcoming mental and physical setbacks, author Lauren Ling Brown turned to writing to get through one of the toughest times in her life. In the latest edition of Shelf Life, Lauren discusses her debut novel and October pick for Reese’s Book Club, “Society of Lies.” She talks lessons of perseverance in times of doubt and believing in your ideas—how they come to life just might surprise you. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Would you let AI win your arguments for you, a TikTok filter guide your makeup game, or the internet influence your “winter arc”? To dive into these questions and more, we’re joined by Jill Dunn and Carlene Higgins, the dynamic duo behind the popular beauty podcast “Breaking Beauty.” They also pop off on the latest beauty trends, and give expert recommendations for splurges, drugstore gems, and holiday gifts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.