Tools For Deeper Connection: How To Have Better Conversations with Celeste Headlee— TED’s Most-Watched Expert on Communication
Celeste Headlee: journalist, bestselling author, NPR host, and one of TED’s most-watched speakers (31 million views+) has spent decades studying the art (and science) of conversation. But she didn’t always get it right. In fact, she says she used to be “the worst.” In this episode, Celeste shares how she rewired her communication style, what most people get wrong about connection, and the powerful tools anyone can use to become a better conversationalist. Celeste shares: How to start a conversation when you don’t know what to say Why the common advice about conversation (like “maintain eye contact”) doesn’t actually work The real difference between debate and discussion + why we’re confusing the two The surprising neuroscience behind great conversation (and why voice matters more than words) The truth about curiosity + how to practice it (even if it doesn’t come naturally) How neural coupling creates the feeling of being seen and understood What small talk really does for your brain + why it’s not so “small” after all The simple trick she uses to diffuse conflict and build connection in just 3 questions How to stop trying to “win” arguments and start learning from disagreement Why younger generations are craving connection more than ever (and what’s getting in the way) The power of follow-up questions + how they make people feel heard What we’re getting wrong about inclusion and how tiny micro-interactions create belonging Why performative listening is worse than not listening at all How to say “I don’t know” in a way that builds trust and authority Why smart people often struggle in conversation and what to do about it Book Rec: Bleak House by Charles Dickens Follow Celeste Headlee here. Grab a copy of her book We Need To Talk here
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1:06:44
Trying is Winning: with Sara Haines
Most people will be haunted by the words “what if?”—but not Sara Haines. She’s the witty and whip smart co-host on The View, former anchor on Good Morning America and Today, Emmy-nominated journalist. In this episode, Sara opens up about the moments the world didn’t see; the less polished parts of her journey—the rejections, pivots, and quiet persistence that led her to one of the most iconic tables in television. Sara shares: The real story behind getting on-air at the Today Show (hint: it involves stalking someone on the subway) What happened when she finally got her name in the title... and then the show got canceled The identity whiplash of going from “fun girl” to “mom content only” The unexpected moment that nearly made her walk away from TV The emotional toll of being praised, passed over, and pigeonholed Her dream to be on Saturday Night Live and the moment she was actually parodied on it The surprising advice her husband gave that set her free: “Let go of the dream you never actually had” Why “being the person who tries” is her life’s north star. Featuring cameos from: Kristen Cavallari, Hoda & Kathie Lee, Kiki Palmer, Chris Brown, and a surprisingly pivotal moment with a Facebook intern. What it really means to try: when no one’s watching, when the outcome is uncertain, and when the voice in your head says “you’re not good enough.” Follow Sara here. Book Rec: She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb
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1:20:56
Your Ego Isn’t the Enemy. It’s the Map: with Laura Day (psychic + healer)
What if the answers to your biggest questions about your career, relationships, even your health are already inside you? You just haven’t learned how to access them… yet. In this episode, New York Times bestselling author and world-renowned intuitive Laura Day (beloved by Demi Moore, Brad Pitt, Fortune 500 CEOs, and Esalen attendees) reveals how to tap into your intuition and start creating the life you actually want. We unpack The Prism, her powerful system for breaking patterns, rewiring your reactions, and making clearer decisions, fast. Whether you're stuck in a loop, lacking confidence, or craving a breakthrough, Laura shows how small shifts can spark massive transformation. She shares: What intuition really is (and what it’s not) How to actually tap into your intuition (and why most people get it wrong) How to know what you actually want and how to go after it The real reason you keep repeating the same patterns What Laura says successful people (Oprah-level successful) all have in common Why trauma can sometimes be a doorway, not a dead end Why understanding is overrated + action is everything How to use your “Prism” to manifest the life you actually want How to tell if your “ego” is keeping you stuck—and how to fix it Laura’s wild experience with military-grade scientific testing on her intuition The difference between believing you're magical... and being the magic Follow Laura here. Grab a copy of The Prism here.
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57:59
Go First: Gabby Reece on Courage, Self-Trust, and Living Without Regret
Gabby Reece– former pro volleyball player, Nike’s first female signature athlete, co-founder of Laird Superfood, host of The Gabby Reece Show joins Danielle to talk about the real work of building a meaningful life. From the emotional tightrope of motherhood and ambition to the realities of aging, marriage, leadership, and letting go of people-pleasing, Gabby shares the lessons she's learned at every stage. What you’ll hear in this episode: How to build a life that won’t leave you full of regret What it means to “go first”—and how that philosophy shaped her life and career Her thoughts on Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, and mental health in sports Her honest take on feminism, sport, and the sexualization of women’s bodies The quiet lie women are told about ambition—and how to design a life that actually fits What her volleyball career taught her about winning, feelings and how to take up space Why women in their 50s are calling it the “F.U. Fifties”—and what that really means What she teaches her daughters about ambition, self-trust, and body image. A behind-the-scenes look at her Nike shoe deal (the first of its kind for a woman) Wellness hacks she swears by (including the real reason she started drinking coffee at 45) The feminist contradiction she’s still wrestling with How marriage to Laird Hamilton has challenged and inspired her The quiet power of consistency, mentorship, and saying no without apology Follow Gabby here Listen to The Gabby Reece Show here.
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1:03:39
The Hidden Forces Shaping What We Buy, Wear, and Talk About: with Culture Strategist Linda Ong (Cultique)
What is culture—and who gets to shape it? Danielle sits down with cultural strategist and Cultique cofounder Linda Ong for a conversation that will change the way you see the world around you. From brand identity to the rise of private clubs, from “trad wives” to TikTok aesthetics, and the future of luxury. Whether you're a brand builder, pop culture lover, or just want to understand the world a little better—this episode will give you the tools to read between the lines of what’s NEXT. In this episode, we explore: How to identify emergent cultural signals before they hit the mainstream What culture really means in 2024—and why it’s changing faster than ever Are we living through the decline of American society? Linda weighs in The "Cultural Curve" and how to know if something is emerging, dominant, or done Why AI can’t replicate culture—and what makes human creativity irreplaceable Why Gen Z is full of contradictions—and what that tells us about the future How Linda turned her personal pain into cultural intuition (and career superpower) The future of luxury and why it’s shifting from exclusivity to experience Why your personal and professional lives are not separate—and never were The difference between analyzing culture and predicting trends—and why the former matters more Why understanding your brand’s cultural DNA is more important than ever The real reason “collabs” went from cool to cliché—and what’s replacing themThe science of why horror movies are trending (hint: it’s emotional regulation) Follow Linda Ong here. Follow Sarah Jane Dhall here. Check out Cultique here.
Question Everything is an invitation to dig deeper, think smarter, and rewrite the rules. In thought-provoking conversations with some of today’s most dynamic voices– from entrepreneurs and authors to politicians and celebrities – journalist Danielle Robay challenges the way we think (and what we thought we knew). Each week, she and her guests hold a mirror up to our culture, asking what works for us and what we can work to change. No topic is off limits – come curious and join Danielle every Thursday as she tackles big ideas with six little words: Can I ask you a question?
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