ALL EPISODES
Birds do it. Bees do it. But we definitely don't want to think about our teens doing it. But eventually, do "it" they will. For her new book, "Girls and Sex." Navigating the Complicated New Landscape" Peggy Orenstein set out to find out how porn, pop culture and popular attitudes about sex influence the way our girls make their way in the world.
PEGGY ORENSTEIN
Confidence, positivity and decisiveness are all considered traits of good leadership. But what if not so deep down, you are constantly anxious and uncertain and feel like an imposter? Are these qualities that will get in your way as a leader, or could they potentially be an asset? Dr. Julie Norem is a Professor of Psychology at Wellesley College and has literally written the book on this--called "The Positive Power of Negative Thinking." Her research continues to focus on the strategies pessimistic people use to pursue their goals, and on the ways knowing yourself influences your performance and your relationships.
JULIE NOREM
April is national letter writing month, and while we may be staying in touch more frequently thanks to technology, what are we missing out on by not writing more letters? Sabrina Moyle, the founder of letterpress cards & stationary company, HelloLucky! And Tess Darrow, the founder of letterpress greeting card company Egg Press are determined to bring back letter-writing, with their Write_On campaign.
TESS DARROW & SABRINA MOYLE
Some of the most well-known businesses you can think of started as partnerships between two men--Hewlett Packard, Ben & Jerry, Harley Davidson, even Batman and Robin. When I found the book "Power through Partnership." How Women Lead Better Together," co-authored by Maggie Chotas and Betsy Polk, I was intrigued--what does it take for two women to run a successful business together, and are two heads really better than one?
BETSY POLK & MAGGIE CHOTAS
Have you ever thought about climbing the Golden Gate Bridge untethered, for fun? Or getting into the Guinness Book of World Records for crawling? Or training for the Olympic luge team? Caroline Paul has done all of those things and more...plus she was one of the first female fire fighters in San Francisco. She now makes her living as a writer and in her new book, "The Gutsy Girl: Escapades for Your Life of Epic Adventure," she not only documents her adventures, but shares what she's learned from them to inspire more adventures for all.
CAROLINE PAUL
Teens in the United States spend about nine hours per day online, according to a recent report by Common Sense Media. According to the "Being13" study from CNN, it's largely due to a "need to monitor their own popularity status, and defend themselves against those who challenge it on social media." Not surprisingly, this constant vigilance can lead to major stress and anxiety for teens. On the flip side, this same CNN study said teens use their phones to talk about schoolwork, plan social events and be kind to each other. So what's a parent to do? Lauren's guest Delaney Ruston is a primary care physician and filmmaker who explores these questions with her own daughter in the new film "Screenagers." The film is available for screenings in schools, community groups, offices, PTAs, girl scout troops and more.
DR. DELANEY RUSTON
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The average American gets 6.8 hours of sleep, is middle or working class, and drives 25 minutes to get to work. And we've heard she has an average of somewhere between 1.8 and 2.5 kids. If that statistic has ever bothered you--who has 2.5 kids?--then you might be raising an even deeper question--why do we rely so much on 'averages'? Our guest, Parisa Rouhani is the co-founder of the Center for Individual Opportunity and is studying the intersection of neuroscience, technology and design at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
PARISA ROUHANI
You might think from your mailbox that letter-writing is on the wane. But a new memoir by Mary-Louise Parker may just revive the art. While she is known for her work as an award-winning actress, including roles on Broadway, in Weeds, Angels in America and The West Wing, her memoir is comprised entirely of letters to the men in her life, including her father, ex-boyfriends, teachers and the future man who loves her daughter. It's called Dear Mr. You.
MARY-LOUISE PARKER
Conflict resolution, diversity, and inclusion are critical elements to achieving a just and peaceful society. Where to start? Our guest Lara Mendel, Founder of The Mosaic Project, says it all starts with the children. The Mosaic Project "teaches people - from elementary school students to adults in the workplace - the skills they need to build the communities they envision."
LARA MENDEL
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Meet Alison Levine, the only American to follow the route of Reinhold Messner to the South Pole, and one of the few to complete the Adventure Grand Slam--climbing the 7 highest peaks in the world, and skiing to both the North and South Poles. Alison has written a book about leadership with lessons from these extreme environments, called "On the Edge." She tells us what it takes to make it in extreme conditions--and everyday ones.
ALISON LEVINE