THE EPSTEIN FILES, EXPLAINED: Everything You Need to Know (Amanda’s You’re Not Gonna Believe This B.S.)

In this special episode of You’re Not Gonna Believe This Bullshit, Amanda lays out decades of the history, facts, and reporting of the Epstein case—clearly, chronologically, and in one place. This is not about conspiracy theories or salacious details. What we have instead is a documented record showing how, for more than a decade, the justice system worked to protect Jeffrey Epstein and his associates while survivors and advocates and journalists fought to expose the truth. Amanda walks through who Epstein was, how he became so powerful and untouchable, how his crimes were uncovered and buried, and what the Epstein files reveal—and still conceal—about power, accountability, and justice. This episode is a speaking meditation for justice, honoring survivors and those who never stopped pushing for the truth. Note: This episode references Epstein’s crimes only as necessary to explain the systemic injustices involved. Please take care while listening. Next: Come back Thursday for a special exclusive drop featuring Brad Edwards, an attorney who has represented more than 200 of Epstein’s survivors, and is still fighting for them.   Follow We Can Do Hard Things on:  Instagram — ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wecandohardthings⁠ TikTok — ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wecandohardthingsshow⁠

What really happened at Girls Just Wanna Weekend? (Short answer: joy, gyrations, no restraint.) Glennon and Abby take you inside Brandi Carlile’s Mexico gathering—a wildly safe, queer weekend beaming with music, connection, and collective joy. They unpack their now-iconic onstage “Come to My Window” performance (there were lifts), how rehearsals accidentally became couples therapy, and why joy, sexuality, and community aren’t distractions from this moment—but acts of resistance. Plus: the magic of Titans of Americana, where Brandi shared the stage with her legendary idols and Tish—bridging generations and honoring the past while lifting up what’s next. Listen to last year’s debrief – 277. What Happened Last Weekend: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun & We DID! – here.  Follow We Can Do Hard Things on:  Instagram — ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wecandohardthings⁠ TikTok — ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wecandohardthingsshow⁠

Everything is chaotic and overwhelming. The news is relentless.  So we did the only thing that felt honest: we showed up, unprepared, and talked about how we’re actually feeling–and what helps us stay engaged, grounded, and human in this moment. In this conversation, we talk about why overwhelm is a strategy, how to stop spiraling in fear, and why real change doesn’t come from doomscrolling or waiting for a government hero–but from finding grounded leaders in our communities, organizing locally, and trusting ourselves to respond to what today is asking of us. If you’re exhausted, scared, angry, or unsure what to do next–this episode is for you. Follow We Can Do Hard Things on:  Instagram — ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wecandohardthings⁠ TikTok — ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wecandohardthingsshow⁠

Everything is chaotic and overwhelming. The news is relentless.  So we did the only thing that felt honest: we showed up, unprepared, and talked about how we’re actually feeling–and what helps us stay engaged, grounded, and human in this moment. In this conversation, we talk about why overwhelm is a strategy, how to stop spiraling in fear, and why real change doesn’t come from doomscrolling or waiting for a government hero–but from finding grounded leaders in our communities, organizing locally, and trusting ourselves to respond to what today is asking of us. If you’re exhausted, scared, angry, or unsure what to do next–this episode is for you. Follow We Can Do Hard Things on:  Instagram — ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wecandohardthings⁠ TikTok — ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wecandohardthingsshow⁠

In this special, urgent, must-listen conversation, Brittany Packnett Cunningham helps us understand what’s happening in Minnesota right now—and why it’s not an isolated moment. She explains how years of organizing made Minnesota ready to resist state violence, why this moment is more dangerous than 2014 or 2020, and what it actually means to move from watching in horror to taking action. Brittany lays out what every one of us can do today—wherever we live—to protect our neighbors, build real organizing infrastructure, and prepare for what’s coming next. This is a wake-up call. And a roadmap. You can listen to our prior conversation with Brittany Packnett Cunningham – How to Create Unbreakable Bonds HERE.  About Brittany:  Brittany Packnett Cunningham is a leader at the intersection of culture, justice and policy.  Brittany is Founder of the social impact agency Love & Power Works, Host and Executive Producer of the news and justice podcast UNDISTRACTED. A St. Louis native, Brittany was instrumental in the coordination of the Ferguson Protest following the 2014 police murder of  18-year-old Michael Brown. After George Floyd was murdered by police in Minneapolis in 2020, Brittany became one of the most visible national movement voices for policy, budget and electoral change.  As the world watched the executions of Renee Good and Alex Pretti  by ICE within – both within 2.2 miles of where George Flloyd was murdered – as well as the execution of Keith Porter Jr by ICE in California, Brittany is leading us in connecting this police state violence – including the killing of Geraldo Lunas Campos, Luis Gustavo Nunez Caceres, and Luis Beltran Yanez–Cruz  and more than 50 other deaths in ICE detention – toward collective liberation.   You can find her @MsPackyetti on all social media. Follow We Can Do Hard Things on:  Instagram — ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wecandohardthings⁠ TikTok — ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wecandohardthingsshow⁠

By the end of January, most of us have realized the truth: our resolutions didn’t fail—we just never needed them. Instead of trying to fix ourselves (again), this conversation invites us to do something braver: get curious about who we already are underneath all the shoulds. Artist and designer Justina Blakeney helps us tune into what she calls “the tingle”—that quiet spark of delight, curiosity, and aliveness that knows exactly where we’re meant to go. When we trust what delights us, we don’t just decorate our homes—we redecorate our lives. For the good of the realm. - How to stop fixing yourself and start trusting what feels alive and true- Why delight, creativity, and “the tingle” are clues—not indulgences - How following what’s good for you becomes good for your family, your work, and the world About Justina:  Justina Blakeney is a multidisciplinary artist, designer, and New York Times Bestselling Author. She is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of the home décor brand, Jungalow® and the author of several design books including Jungalow; Decorate Wild! and The New Bohemians book series. Justina lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Jason, their kiddo, Ida, her kitties, Juju and Nova, and 52 houseplants. Follow We Can Do Hard Things on:  Instagram — ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wecandohardthings⁠TikTok — ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wecandohardthingsshow⁠

Amanda’s first You’re Not Gonna Believe This B.S. show is here: The myths and truth of BILLIONAIRES! We pull back the curtain on how billionaires were made, how much they have, how they skate on public benefits while hoarding the fruits of our labor, how they pretend to fight to keep us distracted fighting with each other (while we barely get by on their scraps), what we learned from them in the Epstein files—and how we get our cookies back.   Joined by author and political analyst Anand Giridharadas, we break down: - What the Epstein emails reveal about the unwritten rules billionaires play by;- What Anand learned about billionaires from the Mandani campaign; and - Why this moment offers hope for building a more just world where we get to have nice things.  About Anand:  Anand Giridharadas is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Persuaders, the international bestseller Winners Take All, The True American, and India Calling. A former foreign correspondent and columnist for The New York Times for more than a decade, he has also written for The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and Time. He is an on-air political analyst for MSNBC. He is the publisher of the newsletter The Ink. Follow We Can Do Hard Things on:  Instagram — ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wecandohardthings⁠ TikTok — ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wecandohardthingsshow⁠

What happens when your mind makes a convincing case for staying safe—but your body is quietly asking you to move toward something warmer? In this beloved conversation, Glennon, Abby, and Amanda return to their very first talk with Martha Beck, whose work has helped them come home to themselves again and again. Martha offers a simple, radical way to stop living by consensus, quiet the spinning mind, and reconnect with the inner compass that knows what is true. This episode is an invitation to pause, feel what you feel, know what you know—and begin again. - How to tell the difference between fear-based thinking and the deep wisdom of your body- The question Martha asked Glennon when she was scared to choose love—and why it changed everything - How to gently cultivate joy when life feels exhausting, overwhelming, or impossibly hard More episodes with Martha Beck: 67. How to Get More Joy with Martha Beck 121. Martha Beck & Rowan Mangan: Polyamory & Throuple Life 252. Martha Beck Helps Amanda Let Go253. Is it Real Love or Spider Love? With Martha Beck 375. How to Stop Worrying with Martha Beck About Martha:  Dr. Martha Beck, PhD, is a New York Times bestselling author, coach, and speaker. She holds three Harvard degrees in social science, and Oprah Winfrey has called her “one of the smartest women I know.” Martha is a passionate and engaging teacher, known for her unique combination of science, humor, and spirituality. Her recent book, The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self, was an instant New York Times Best Seller and an Oprah’s Book Club selection. Her new book, Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life’s Purpose, is available now. Follow We Can Do Hard Things on:  Instagram — ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wecandohardthings⁠ TikTok — ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wecandohardthingsshow⁠

We start the year by asking a simple question: Why does something that’s supposed to be fun—like youth sports—feel so awful?  After a scary incident at their daughter’s soccer game, Glennon and Abby talk honestly about how pressure, performance, and social capital have overtaken what was supposed to be fun. And why this problem isn’t about the kids—it’s about us. We share what’s ahead for We Can Do Hard Things in 2026, reflect on everything we’ve built together, and talk about letting go of what no longer fits so we can feel both held and free.- Why youth sports—and so many other systems—stopped being fun - How to re-enter old worlds without losing yourself - What healing looks like when it’s about trust, not quitting - What to expect from We Can Do Hard Things in 2026 Follow We Can Do Hard Things on:  Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/wecandohardthings TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@wecandohardthingsshow

We’re starting 2026 with a quick hello and a warm welcome to our YouTube listeners. This brief episode explains a small but intentional shift in how we’re sharing the show. We’re re-routing back to audio-only to stay aligned with what feels best for us. If you’re joining us from YouTube, thank you. If you’ve always been here in audio, thank you. We love you, Pod Squad. More to come. Follow We Can Do Hard Things on: Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/wecandohardthings TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@wecandohardthingsshow