John O’Leary welcomes Kelly Corrigan, host of Tell Me More on PBS to the Live Inspired Podcast to inspire us to think more, feel more, do more and be better.
Kelly Corrigan is a celebrated storyteller and New York Times bestselling author of Tell Me More, Glitter and Glue, The Middle Place and more. As the host of PBS’ Tell Me More with Kelly Corrigan and the creator of the popular podcast Kelly Corrigan Wonders, Kelly shares insightful conversations with thought leaders, pulling out poignant lessons others can use to find their own calling or better understand themselves.
Today, Kelly joins us to share her heartfelt wisdom and profound lessons on love, parenting, self-discovery, and the importance of laughter in thoughtful reflection.
Do you want to be inspired to think more, feel more, do more and be better? This conversation is for you.
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SHOW NOTES:
- Face of Love: Admiring her dad’s deep focus, Kelly and her husband strive to replicate that quality when parenting their two daughters.
- I know how to love people and I know how to let them love me back: Kelly reminds us that it’s equally daring to love as it is to let yourself be loved as you are instead of putting up a front.
- “Your father’s the glitter, but I’m the glue. It takes both.”
- After her father’s death, Kelly has recognized the confidence and contentment of her mother, and the admirable widowhood she’s created for herself.
- Between the Irish storytelling energy of her family and the meaningful discussions prompted in her high school English classes, Kelly began to recognize and nurture her gift of expression.
- Everyone should be a writer: Even if you don’t want to be a published author, Kelly sees the value in the reflective behavior our journaling.
- While nannying for a family in Australia, Kelly read her mom’s favorite book My Antonia by Willa Cather which sparked her curiosity of wanting to better understand her mother.
- In 2004 after being diagnosed with cancer, Kelly began blogging her experience with deep dives in her cancer journey and the things others did in those moments she found incredibly helpful. Her hope was to help others feel more comfortable being around others going through similar situations, and how to engage with support.
- Thinking in smaller increments: After her cancer diagnosis, Kelly asked herself what she’d want to accomplish in the next five years, versus thinking into her 80s. It’s then she wrote the New York Times bestselling book The Middle Place.
- “I felt that my role was to let her say the harder, more awful things that other people would try to cheer her out of.”
- “The eyes of love are inaccurate, and they’re needy. They want to see something that maybe isn’t there.”
- When delivering the eulogy of her dear friend Liz Laats, Kelly wanted to restore a vision of her at full strength. Watch the eulogy here.
- Funny always wins: As a parent, Kelly instilled humor and playfulness in their home and that a marriage is where two people totally have each other’s back.
- I was wrong and I’m sorry. “If you don’t say I was wrong, then you haven’t restored that unified vision of what we as a couple believe is right and wrong.”
- As leaders, Kelly encourages the following phrases to be used in our regularly: Tell me more; I don’t know; I was wrong; we’re rolling and today counts.
- Learn more about Kelly Corrigan here.
Did you enjoy today’s episode?
You’ll love my conversation with Brené Brown. Brené is a six-time New York Times bestselling author and an expert in studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. Learn tips to becoming a better leader, how to identify what’s holding you back, and more! Hear Brené on ep. 103 now.
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KELLY CORRIGAN'S LIVE INSPIRED 7
- Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read?
A. Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. - Q. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today?
A. More physically daring. - Q. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be?
A. My Wawa crate of journals. - Q. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be?
A. My daughters. Or Marilynne Robinson, Michelle Obama, Meryl Streep or Jodie Foster. - Q. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A. From my mom, "Oh for God's sake Kelly, who is looking at you?" - Q. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
A. Don't worry, it's coming. - Q. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read?
A. She left it all on the field.
