Waking from the American Dream

This month, Kelly is in conversation with Victoria Labalme, author of Risk Forward, a unique and bold take on what one needs to figure out your next steps on a project, plan or life path. It offers courage, inspiration and whimsical ways past what blocks you.

Kelly talks about making it through the anxiety, uncertainty and unexpected gifts of the pandemic. And she explores what it's been like to dance with the legacy of her father, and how she has reached a new level of acceptance.

Kelly talks about how to face what the Buddhists call impermanence and letting go. Music is "Headphones" by the Incredible Casuals

After a 17 month hiatus, Kelly returns with a monologue episode about the pandemic, what sheltering in place is revealing to humanity and what it means to let the 10,000 things name the self. Music is “Work From Home” by Pizza Bees https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=600175907603285

Kelly is joined by two of the three authors of "Deep Creativity: Seven Ways to Spark Your Creative Spirit," Deborah Anne Quibell and Jennifer Leigh Selig. The conversation explores their unique approach to sparking, feeding and hosting creativity in everyone's life. This is a great conversation for artists, seekers, humans of all shapes. Music by Travis & Shook

Kelly is joined by screenwriter, actor and now author, David Dean Bottrell where they discuss the ins and outs, the loves and hates, the ups and downs of choosing a career in the entertainment industry. David's just published book Working Actor: Breaking in, Making a Living, and Making a Life in the Fabulous Trenches of Show Business is a deep, funny, transparent look at not only David's path in the business as a screenwriter and actor, but real nuts and bolts of how to succeed in this crazy, fantastic business. Music by Logan Heftel

Kelly chats with Harvey J. Kaye, American History professor at University of Wisconsin, Green Bay and the Ben & Joyce Rosenberg Professor of Democracy and Justice Studies, about ideas such as justice, liberty and equality and how the current Democratic Party keeps missing the important narrative that Thomas Paine so clearly saw as the true potential of this great democratic experiment. Harvey will become a regular of the podcast to help us sort through the upcoming presidential campaign. Harvey can be found on Twitter @HarveyJKaye, and is author and editor of numerous works, including "The American Radical, Are We Good Citizens?" "Thomas Paine and the Promise of America", and "The Fight For The Four Freedoms: What Made FDR And The Greatest Generation Truly Great".

The Octagon Table members Dylan Brody, Rick Overton, Erin Brown and Chris Bonno with Kelly gather to unpack what it means to be a hero. They talk about their own heroes, what traits heroes must have and why we even have them.

Gary Gach, author of "Pause, Breathe, Smile," (and many other titles), mindfulness teacher, poet, joins Kelly to discuss being on the path to enlightenment, why watching your breath changes your life, and other fine hints and moments about being seekers. Instead of music, we give you 273 moments of silence. You can find more about Gary at garygach.com.

Kelly sits down with Mark Russell, the political, musical satirist for an exploration of his career and take on politics these days.

In this episode Dylan Brody, Erin Brown, Rick Overton, Chris Bonno & Fiona Goodwin join Kelly to unpack the idea, concept and reality or courage.

Kelly steps into a new relationship with her creativity and discusses the lines between art, entertainment and the freedom to express ones self.

Kelly ponders about what makes us deem thing possible or impossible and what it means to take chances.

Kelly reads an essay about how she is emerging into a new/old way of relating to the world around her.

Kelly feels torn in half watching the Kavanaugh/Dr. Ford testimony.

Dylan Brody, Amy Englehardt, Chris Bonno and Kelly untangle the many ideas and perspectives about the concept of Truth.

Kelly delves into how to live life from a place that honors the imagination. She explores how we can be rational beings and still live life from a magical place. Music by Admiral Halsey

Kelly sits with Hope Edelman, author of Motherless Daughters, and they dive into mother loss, what it takes to heal from grief, and the broader subject of how women untangle themselves from their family dynamics, aka daughterhood, to step out of their own way and into their deepening lives.

Kelly speaks with Ellen Braaten, PhD about how we are all collectively combating learned helplessness with the divisive political climate here in US, and how to combat it.

Kelly talks about how humility is a most human experience, and how getting to act in front of the camera after 34 years heals her.

Kelly is back. No really, she is. She gets her feet wet again and is excited to be back weekly. She talks about the difference in life when we are in Response mode vs. React mode.

Kelly figures out the basis of her political despair and then also shares the importance of stillness and watching how we react to the world to increase our peace of mind. Music by Adil Omar.

Kelly is joined by the rollicking Octagon Table regulars Chris Bonno, Dylan Brody, Erin Brown, and Rick Overton. They discuss the topic of Liberty from every imaginable angle and have a great time doing it. M

Kelly barely makes it back from the woods, enjoys Depeche Mode, she thinks, and contemplates, once again, the nature of existence. Music by Peggy Lee.

Kelly talks about Tom Petty and how to find the holiness in your work. And then gives everyone a chance to turn over the Great Ball of Merit. Music by Tom Petty

Kelly sits down with Hope Hall, the Presidential Videographer for the White House during the Obama years, to discuss self-care in this new presidency and what we as individual and a country are learning about life.

Kelly returns to full time podcasting after a long hiatus. She talks about the fatigue of the current political atmosphere and the importance of self-care if you want to stay engaged.

Kelly ponders post-election life and gives advice on how to live in Trumplandia. Music by Dan Bern.

Kelly shares about her trip to Jamestown NY for the LucyFest, meeting Trevor Noah and finding herself in a Victorian Disneyland called The Chautauqua Institute. She then dives into the power of saying "yes" and the power of saying "no" in her life and invites listeners to step into their own lives consciously and boldly. Music: "A Feather's Not A Bird" by Rosanne Cash.

Kelly briefly touches on the conventions, Sarah Silverman and a few important Garry’s in her life. She then plays part two of her interview with Steve McIntosh, the Integral Philosopher and founder of the Institute for Cultural Evolution where they discuss the future of both the Left and the Right in American politics. Music is co-opted from the DNC.

Kelly shares what it’s been like to be off of social media for a month, and then reaching back to the roots of what Waking from the American Dream really means for her, Kelly invites Integral philosopher and co-founder of the Institute for Cultural Evolution, Steve Macintosh, to drill down into the roots of the hyper partisanship of American Politics. This is part one or a two part conversation. Music is co-opted from the co-opted music of the RNC.

On today’s show, Kelly shares her thoughts on mass shootings, talks about her decision to take a summer sabbatical from social media, and shares about her friendship with the late Garry Shandling. Music by Bo Burnham and George Harrison.

After traveling near and far, Kelly is home for most of the summer. She is joined on the show by Ben Morrison, comic & actor, who has come to Kelly for clarity & support during a major life change.

Kelly is joined by Erin Brown, Rick Overton, Richard Green and Chris Bonno to discuss the idea of democracy and how it’s working these days during this election season. Music by Alan Stone, the Jacob Jeffries Band, and Lisa Brigantino.

Paul Holdengraber, curator and director of the NY Public Library’s highly respected and acclaimed interview series Live from the NYPL, and Kelly talk deeply about the art of conversation. Kelly also discusses with viewers the importance in finding one’s childlike joy in the adult tasks we find daily. Music: "Perfect World" and "Where You're At" by Allen Stone

Kelly talks about in-groups, the magic of tidying, the empty fullness of being done with her book stuff, and reads a Mary Oliver poem. Music by The Eagles.

Kelly talks about reinvention, David Bowie's death, her book release and living your life as either a subject or an object.

Kelly is joined by the usual suspects - Rick Overton, Dylan Brody, and Erin Brown - to wind their way around to find the meaning of life. Dylan talks about a peyote trip at age 11, Erin admits to eating with elderly clergy, and Rick takes us to the edge of the multiverse. Music by Dylan Brody

Kelly chats with Josh Wheeler, Executive Director of the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Freedom of Expression, about First Amendment issues like Citizen United, and the Center’s annual Jefferson Muzzle Awards. Music by Eric Bern, Chandler Travis and Afton Hefley.

Kelly begins by talking about her wacky morning. She then brings on Katie Goodman and they discuss her video Sorry Babe, You're a Feminist! and why younger women are resisting the term. Kelly then talks about resisting the term atheist and how she has come to find peace with defining her own brand of spirituality. Music by Eric Schwartz.

Kelly talks about Spring, Fleetwood Mac and the drought. She then chats with Rain Pryor about her first comedy album, "Black & White." Kelly then ends the show sharing about her experience doing a five week run of her solo show, "A Carlin Home Companion." Music by Natasha Agrama

Cash Peters, author of 12 books and former TV host of "Stranded with Cash Peters," joins Kelly in a revealing conversation about the difference between skepticism and circumspection; what happens when you are willing to believe in life; and how saying yes can change everything.

Jennifer Edwards, author and actress (and daughter of Blake Edwards) talks with Kelly about her new novel, When Angels Cry, a funny, erotic story of a woman finding herself in the thick of middle-aged challenges. They also discuss acting, their dads and what it’s like to write a book.

Katie Goodman, comedian/singer/songwriter, and Kelly talk about vulnerability and its place in comedy and performing, teaching kids bad words, how some young women misunderstand the word “feminism”, and nothing about the mid-term elections.

Rain Pryor and Laurie Buckley join Kelly to discuss Feminism, the Feminine, being daughters of pioneers in comedy, and how their generation and gender does it slightly different than their fathers.

Join Kelly as she and Rick Overton, Dylan Brody, and Chris Bonno find the funny and not so funny in depression, ennui, suicide, America’s obsession with growth and progress and laughter. Music by The Paul & the John

Kelly and Warren Berger's (the author of A More Beautiful Question) discussion about the power of questions will inspire and blow your mind wide open. As we as individuals and a species face an era of increasing uncertainty, the skill of asking powerful questions about our lives, the world and challenges is more important than ever. Listen in as Warren and Kelly delve into the art of inquiry. Music by Alan Stone, the Jacob Jeffries Band, and Lisa Brigantino.

The funny and charming musical comedy duo Carlie & Doni explore their journey through their first years in show biz, and what it's like to balance friendship and creativity as a duo. Kelly wrote an essay too!

John Fugelsang, Erin Brown, Chris Bonno & Chad Einbinder help Kelly to unpack the idea and path to enlightenment.

Author, actress, and activist Annabelle Gurwitch joins Kelly to discuss her book, "I SEE YOU MADE AN EFFORT: Compliments, Indignities and Survival Stories From the Edge of 50." They discuss everything from fracking to chin hairs to Darwin to spice cake. Music by Adil Omar and Dan Bern.

Kelly is joined by Dylan Brody, Beth Lapides, and Rick Overton in an exploration of the idea of destiny, fate, a conscious universe, free will, choice. As always they go deep while cracking each other up. Kelly then plays an excerpt from her 2009 interview with Sid Caesar, honoring his passing. Music by Tracy Newman.