The Stunning Effects of Optimism with Dr. Sue Varma

Friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson returns for another “Asking for a Friend.” She lays out how conflict in our friendships is not only normal, but an opportunity to meet a need and ultimately strengthen the relationship. And she gives us some concrete pointers on how to navigate that conflict. Her book “Fighting for Our Friendships” is out May 7. Plus, adventures in recreating healthy recipes at home, keeping tabs on your friends and family, and the girls soccer team that beat a boys team for a championship. Need some friendship advice? Send us an email at [email protected] and we may get you an answer from an expert!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neha Ruch founded Mother Untitled as a community for mothers rethinking their relationship to work. The goal: to give clarity and confidence to women who are considering a career pause or downshift, and to shift the perception of what it means to be a stay-at-home parent. Plus, Danielle and Simone get into the phrases that successful women use at work. Do you use any of these phrases at work? Maybe you have your own? Let us know at [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joanne Molinaro, The Korean Vegan, reflects on the wisdom, confidence, and joy she’s found through food. Plus, we’re Giving Her Flowers: High school freshman Naya Ellis’ invented a watch that can detect the signs of stroke in older adults. Her invention won her recognition at the National STEM Challenge. If you know someone in your community who deserves her flowers, send us their name and your reasons for nominating them to [email protected]. We'll be showering praise and recognition once a month. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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: [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.