The Bright Side

Claire Lombardo is the author of “The Most Fun We Ever Had,” the Reese’s Book Club pick for April. The book deals with imperfect characters, complicated relationships, and dysfunctional families, and it exemplifies one of Claire’s philosophies in fiction: no one’s fully a hero, and no one's fully a villain. Plus, Danielle and Simone sound off on stage names. What’s your stage name? Send us an email at hello@thebrightsidepodcast.com.

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Ada Limón draws inspiration from nature — from feeling like a part of a much larger, awesome whole. She’s partnering with the National Park Service to create the “You Are Here” initiative: seven picnic tables at seven National Parks, each featuring a site-specific poem selected by Ada. And later this year, she’s sending one of her poems to space on NASA’s Europa Clipper! She shares insights about her relationship to poetry, and gives a prompt to help all of us get in touch with our inner poet. Plus, Sophia Bush and letting yourself exhale, whether to block an ex, and fake celebrity relationships.

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When comedian and “Daily Show” senior correspondent Dulcé Sloan began her memoir “Hello Friends: Stories of Dating, Destiny, and Day Jobs,”  she started with the jokes that were too long to tell on stage. She talks with Danielle and Simone about not being famous enough, the tight-knit comedy community, and the perks of growing up in Atlanta. Plus, Caitlin Clark is set to sign a $28 million deal with Nike, Anne Hathaway opened up about a “gross” chemistry test in the 2000’s, and Hello Sunshine’s Mother’s Day gift guide is here. 

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Jeni Britton Bauer built Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams up from a single storefront in Columbus, Ohio, to a national brand. The ice cream icon’s path to dessert royalty was sometimes a rocky road, and she’s learned big time business lessons along the way from failures, from crises, and from… “The Lord of the Rings”? Plus, the (real!) power of a pat on the back — and maybe you’ve heard of love languages, but how can “stress languages” help inform your relationships? What’s your stress language? Send an email to hello@thebrightsidepodcast.com.

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Alexa von Tobel is on a mission to teach girls about money. Financial literacy is one of the keys to closing the wealth gap between men and women, and Alexa says you can start teaching kids about money at a very young age. She joins us to discuss ways to get into a healthier money mindset — for both kids and adults. Plus, the Spice Girls reunite, Cher finally enters the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the dichotomy between truth and kindness. How do you talk about money with your kids? Email us: hello@thebrightsidepodcast.com.

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When Katherine Woodward Thomas wrote Calling in The One in the early 2000s, she had no idea how strongly it would resonate with women today. The therapist and author joined The Bright Side to talk about how to attract the love of your life, and why her book is having a resurgence two decades after it was first released. Plus, we chat about Earth Day, Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department, and a recent study that says America is not as divided as we think.

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Dr. Jessica Shepherd has seen her fair share of misinformation about birth control. The OB-GYN joins The Bright Side to do some myth busting around reproductive health, and discuss questions around IUD pain, infertility, and weight gain. Plus, Danielle and Simone talk about Taylor Swift’s new album, react to the news that Nelly and Ashanti are expecting their first child, and discuss Emma Roberts’ "doll wall." Do you have any questions about reproductive health for our next conversation with an OB-GYN? Send us a voice memo at hello@thebrightsidepodcast.com

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Mary Beth Barone is no stranger to doing it herself.  For years, the comedian has made her rounds as a stand-up on the comedy club circuit. Mary Beth sits down with Simone and Danielle to talk about her evolution in comedy, working in a male-dominated industry, and writing, directing, producing, and funding her own comedy special on YouTube. Plus, Arianna Grande’s nonna is the oldest person to hit the Billboard Hot 100, “Crazy Rich Asians” goes to Broadway, and the merits of being “unlikeable.” Let us know what you think about being “unlikeable” at hello@thebrightsidepodcast.com

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Reporter Amy Chozick used her experiences covering HIllary Clinton on the campaign trail as the inspiration for a new show on Max called “The Girls on the Bus.” Part satire, part drama,  the show follows four journalists covering a cadre of flawed presidential candidates. Amy joins us to talk about turning her observations from ten years of campaign reporting into a TV series. Plus, Caitlin Clark’s WNBA salary, Taylor Swift tries to make poetry cool, and Danielle and Simone ask: is it OK to drink breast milk? Later this week, we’re talking with an OB-GYN who’s going to help us debunk some women’s health misinformation. Have a question for her? Email us: hello@thebrightsidepodcast.com 

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Rachel Zoe is a fashion mogul, celebrity stylist, CEO, and host of the podcast “Climbing in Heels.” She dishes about her decades of making fashion approachable, building her brand while staying on top of her game, and just being a nice person. Danielle and Simone react to the news that “The Morning Show” will delay season 4 until after this year’s election — and compare their own newsroom experience to the show. Plus, beauty tips from Ava Phillippe, the daughter of Reese Witherspoon!

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2024 has been a phenomenal year for women in sports. With the record-breaking viewership of the women's March Madness finals, women's athletics have finally gotten the media coverage they deserve. However, recent research shows that by the time girls hit 14 years old, they are twice as likely to quit playing sports than boys. Christine Yu, award-winning journalist and author of “Up to Speed: The Groundbreaking Science of Women Athletes” joins us on the show to unpack why this is happening and what we can all do to help the girls in our lives learn that a good body is a strong body. Plus, Danielle and Simone chat about wearing perfume to bed, acts of microfeminism, and men's emotional wellness retreats. What are your small acts of feminism? Email us your answers at hello@thebrightside.com. 

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The color-obsessed content creator Courtney Quinn — better known as Color Me Courtney — joins the show to talk about the power of color, and what different colors say about our clothes, our confidence, and even our show’s logo! Plus, Danielle and Simone talk about the upcoming Margot Robbie-produced Monopoly movie, Lenny Kravitz working out in leather pants, and the colors we’re wearing this season. Are you all about bright colors, or do you prefer a more neutral palette? Send us a voice memo at hello@thebrightsidepodcast.com. 

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Today, we bid farewell to an archetype that defined millennial hustle culture: the #girlboss. Danielle and Simone give heartfelt eulogies, and are joined by cultural critic Leigh Stein to understand the girlboss rise and fall. Leigh helps make sense of why it’s time to let her go, and where we go from here. Plus, we dive into AI therapy (yes, it’s real), the new Bridget Jones movie, and the paradigm-shifting viewership of the women’s NCAA Finals. Send in your #girlboss condolences: hello@thebrightsidepodcast.com. 

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Optimism is not just an outlook — it’s a mindset. And it’s a mindset that can change your life for the better, according to Dr. Sue Varma, a psychiatrist and the author of “Practical Optimism.” Dr. Varma says you can actually train your brain to become more optimistic by learning to reframe negative situations. The effects are stunning. Plus, Danielle and Simone discuss Billie Eilish’s new album, Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen, and Rihanna on plastic surgery. Have a hot take on celeb culture? You can reach our show at hello@thebrightsidepodcast.com. 

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Every year, at Girls State, young women from across the country gather to form a mock government while honing their leadership skills. The new Apple TV+ documentary “Girls State” follows some of these girls from 2022’s event, documenting their triumphs, failures, tears, and breakthroughs. Co-director Amanda McBaine joins the show along with one of the film’s main subjects, Emily Worthmore. They dig into the value of crossing the aisle, and all the amazing things you can learn from young women. Plus, Danielle and Simone talk about the total eclipse, and weigh the pros and cons of IUDs. Did you watch Girls State? Let us know what you thought by sending a voice memo to hello@thebrightsidepodcast.com. 

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Dr. Flo Rosen, AKA Ask Bubbie, joins The Bright Side for our regular “Grand Ol’ Grannies” segment with our favorite advice-giving grandmas. The former pediatrician turned TikTok phenom drops some truth bombs about gentle parenting, keeping sane with a fussy child, and when the best time is to visit new parents. Plus, Danielle and Simone discuss the solar eclipse, bachelorette parties, and Mel B getting kicked out of the Spice Girls chat. Which Spice Girl are you? Send us a voice memo at hello@thebrightsidepodcast.com for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode. 

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We’re in the mood to chit-chat on The Bright Side today, but have you ever found yourself in a small-talk situation with nothing much to say? Danielle and Simone discuss how to up your small talk game. Plus, this weekend it’s the NCAA Final Four! We talk about March Madness with sports producer Hannah O’Flynn. It’s been an historic year for the women’s tournament, drawing record viewership and unparalleled attention. We’re swept up in the Caitlin Clark phenomenon, and we’ll be cheering on Angel Reese in the WNBA next year.. Who are you rooting for this weekend? Send us a voice memo at hello@thebrightsidepodcast.com for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode. 

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Reyna Roberts may or may not have discovered she would be featured on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album the way the rest of us did: when she heard her own voice on two of the tracks. Reyna joins The Bright Side to talk about what it’s like to be a black artist in a predominantly white genre, the Beyoncé effect on country music, and she sticks around to play a round of “This or That'' with the hosts. Plus, Taylor Swift joins the billionaire club, Shakira’s hot take on Barbie, and our weird celebrity crushes. 

Be a part of The Bright Side! Are you watching the NCAA FInal Four this weekend? What do you make of the Caitlin Clark effect? Send us a voice memo at hello@thebrightsidepodcast.com for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode. 

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We’re in the era of overthinking, according to linguist and author Amanda Montell. She stops by The Bright Side to talk about her new book “The Age of Magical Overthinking,” and how our brains process the information overload we’re bombarded with on a daily basis. Plus, Reese’s Book Club pick for April is “The Most Fun We Ever Had” by Claire Lombardo. Claire will join us for a conversation at the end of the month — and she’ll be taking your questions! Send us a voice message at hello@thebrightsidepodcast.com. 

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In today’s episode, we kick off “Asking for a Friend,” The Bright Side’s new friendship advice segment. Danielle and Simone are joined by friendship coach Danielle Bayard Jackson, who answers listener questions and teaches us how to strengthen our bonds. If you have a friend dilemma, send us a voice message at hello@thebrightside.com. We might use it next time! Plus, Are you more of a black cat or a Golden Retriever when it comes to relationships? Danielle and Simone discuss what it means to be with a partner who brings that lovable, playful “Golden Retriever Energy.”

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Does the prospect of going into business with your bestie make you sweat or squeal with delight? We talk with two friends and co-founders who quit their day jobs to start an organic period care company together. Their story is featured in the new Roku docuseries “Side Hustlers,” from Hello Sunshine. Plus, our thoughts on Beyoncé’s new album, now that we’ve had a few days to process. What’s your favorite track? We want to hear from you! You can reach the show at: hello@thebrightside.com. 

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Age ain’t nothing but a number, honey. Maryjane Fahey of “Glorious Broads” joins us to talk about owning your sexuality, your individuality, and your reinvention at any age. She inspires us to unapologetically embrace getting older. Plus, Simone and Danielle close out Women’s History Month by honoring two legendary feminists: Shirley Chisholm and Gloria Steinem. Another reason to celebrate? It’s Beyonce’s album release day! Have you listened to her new country album? How does it stack up? 

We want to hear from you! You can reach the show at: hello@thebrightside.com. 

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Sabrina Zohar is here to tell it like it is. The dating coach and host of the “Do The Work” podcast takes a no-nonsense approach to dating red flags, green flags, and everything in between. Plus, Danielle shares an embarrassing story and Simone schools us on which celebrities names we have been mispronouncing all along. 

We want to hear from you! You can reach the show at: hello@thebrightside.com.

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How much of our fate is dictated by the stars? Astrologer Chani Nicholas joins us to read The Bright Side’s birth chart. Even if you’re an astrology skeptic, Chani might turn you into a believer. Plus, Danielle and Simone talk about divorce rings and all-time favorite drugstore beauty buys. We want to hear from you! You can reach the show at: hello@thebrightside.com.

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There’s an art to hosting a social gathering. On one end of the spectrum, a gathering can feel tossed together and random. On the other end, it can feel overly-focused on aesthetic perfection: the right food, the right ambience, the right mix of people. Author Priya Parker is on a mission to change the way we think about gathering together. The author of “The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters” joins The Bright Side to talk about how to be a better host. Plus, hosts Danielle and Simone discuss the Kate Middleton debacle, and the traits that happy women all over the world tend to share. 

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Reese Witherspoon joins the first episode of The Bright Side to talk about second acts and new beginnings. She talks with the hosts about founding her company, what she’s learned about entrepreneurship, and how she stays positive when shit is hitting the fan. Plus, hosts Danielle Robay and Simone Boyce talk about the state of happiness.

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Welcome to The Bright Side, a new daily podcast from Hello Sunshine. Every morning, hosts Danielle Robay and Simone Boyce are bringing your daily dose of inspiring stories, trending topics in pop culture, and thoughtful conversations with experts and celebrity guests, all handpicked to make your day a little bit brighter, more joyful, and fun. 

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