Glennon Doyle’s chart-topping podcast, co-hosted with her wife, soccer legend Abby Wambach, and sister Amanda Doyle, has capitalized on the art of turning everyday existential crises into profound learning experiences packaged in easily digestible episodes.
Part group therapy session, part tutelage in vulnerability, and part permission slip to embrace your messiest self, this podcast has produced some great conversations since its launch.
Whether tackling anxiety, relationships, parenting, or the peculiar challenges of simply existing as a human in these times, certain episodes stand out as particularly transformative. For those new to the WCDHT universe (or loyal listeners looking to revisit the highlights), I’ve compiled the top episodes that showcase this trio at their most insightful, hilarious, and yes, occasionally absurd best.
236. Abby Wambach: Will I Ever Be Truly Loved?
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Beloved, brave, and brilliantly honest Abby Wambach is the guest in this episode. In a powerful conversation with Glennon and Amanda, Abby opens up about love, identity, and the struggles that shaped her, from family and soccer to queerness and self-worth.
86. Jen Hatmaker: What We Win When We Lose It All
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Jen shares the shock of her 26-year marriage ending suddenly. She reflects on sensing something was wrong long before she admitted it, and the moment she confided in Glennon. Jen recalls being called the “spotlight” and “cleanup crew” in her marriage, yet feeling powerless as a wife. She describes convincing herself it was enough, even as the tension quietly built. Jen explores the silent pain of loneliness within marriage, and the fears that keep us from speaking the truth.
Can You Change Your Partner? With Dr. Alexandra Solomon
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Dr. Alexandra H. Solomon, a leading voice on relationships, joins the conversation to unpack a familiar challenge: knowing when to embrace a partner’s behavior and when to push for change, and recognizing the role you tend to take in that pattern.
- What it really means to be a power couple
- Are you more often the one who adapts or the one who asks for change?
- How your early life may be influencing your current relationship
- Why knowing your role in relationship dynamics matters
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson
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Today is a special day, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson sits down with Glennon and Amanda to reflect on her powerful path to becoming the first Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Hear about:
- The four misspelled words that reshaped her perspective
- A brief but life-changing encounter with a stranger at Harvard
- Lessons from her Autistic daughter on what truly matters
- Her grandmother’s wisdom that helps her rise above injustice
- And how the Court’s ruling on presidential immunity impacts democracy
138. Melissa McCarthy: Sex, Nuns & Ghosts
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The powerful words Melissa’s parents shared when she revealed her dream, and how they shaped her future. The relationship red and green flags Melissa teaches her kids to spot. Why Melissa calls herself a shark, and her clever “Run Around the Block” method for tackling tough moments. Melissa and Abby’s personal run-ins with the supernatural. How Melissa first learned about sex, and the honest way she approaches the topic with her kids.
38. HOW TO SAY NO with Simone Biles and Laurie Hernandez
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In this powerful conversation, three GOATs join Glennon to talk about: Simone’s groundbreaking choice at the Tokyo Olympics to prioritize her health over external pressure. The small steps Laurie took to rebuild self-trust after enduring a harmful coaching relationship. Why Simone, Laurie, and Abby see their gifts as both a strength and a burden. The moments Simone and Laurie carve out to just *be*, free from the need to perform or prove anything. And how Simone and Laurie play a special role in one of Abby and Glennon’s all-time favorite family memories.
I’m a Sociopath: Patric Gagne’s Story
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Patric Gagne. author, former therapist, diagnosed sociopath, and outspoken advocate for those with sociopathic, psychopathic, and antisocial personality disorders, opens up about:
- What sociopathy really means and how it plays out in her daily life
- The surprising number of people who may be sociopathic
- How her diagnosis influences her roles as a wife and mom
- And why she sees sociopathy as a unique kind of strength
254. Dolly Parton: How to Make Decisions (Even If They Break Your Heart)
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In this memorable episode, Glennon, Abby, and Amanda chat with the legendary Dolly Parton about beginning fresh at 77, the unique way she nurtures the world, and the bittersweet story of turning down Elvis’s request to record her beloved song. Plus, the words of wisdom Dolly would share with Tish as she steps into the music industry.
4. FUN: What the hell is it and why do we need it?
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In this episode, where Abby calls out my sister and me for our struggle to enjoy ourselves, find out:
- The lighthearted post that led to my biggest wave of social media unfollows.
- Why girls often disconnect from their sense of fun early on.
- What science says about sadness: rest isn’t enough, we need play to lift the blues.
83. Brené Brown: What to Say to Get What You Need
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This episode features Brené Brown discussing:
- How to tell when it’s time to push through, and when it’s time to let go.
- The biggest barrier to real connection, and how to break it down.
- Ways to face fear without trying to micromanage everyone and everything.
- Why simply making it through the last two years of relationships deserves a round of applause.
70. My Hardest Thing
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Today, Glennon opens up about her recent struggle with an eating disorder recurrence. If discussions about eating disorders and mental health are helpful for you: Tune in to this episode. If this topic might be difficult for you: Feel free to skip this episode.
What We Don’t Talk About: Raising Older Kids
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Glennon, Abby, and Amanda explore the challenges and intricacies of raising older kids. In this episode:
- Glennon reflects on how motherhood once consumed her identity
- Amanda shares a pivotal memory of recognizing her father’s humanity
- Ways to nurture your child’s independence while staying connected
- Rediscovering yourself beyond being a parent
95. Why Elizabeth Gilbert Disappeared & What She Came Back to Say
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This continuing conversation with Elizabeth Gilbert, covers:
- Liz’s depiction of Rayya’s death as a battle, highlighting Rayya’s resilient departure.
- How Liz navigated her grief after Rayya’s passing and what provided solace.
- Liz’s approach to spirituality, encompassing her relationship with a higher being, her recovery group, and her path to rebuilding.
187. 5 Ways to Be More Present: Indigenous Wisdom from Kaitlin Curtice
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On this episode you can learn:
- Practical methods for interpreting our body’s cues and maintaining our humanity.
- The restorative impact of acknowledging and re-establishing ties with our inner child and the natural world.
- Techniques for cultivating mindfulness and physical awareness, such as conversing with a potted plant.
- The damaging consequences of enforced moral standards, cultural imperialism, and forced integration, and pathways to reclaiming our inherent completeness, desires, and intuition.
- Everyday acts of defiance that assist in recovering what has been lost and returning to our authentic selves.
78. REGRET: What if we’d done things differently?
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This episode you’ll find:
- Amanda recounts her deepest regret, a recurring cause of her nighttime awakenings.
- The top five regrets of people at the end of their lives, and how to implement essential changes to sidestep them.
- Why regret should be viewed as confirmation of a life lived to its fullest.
Read our review of We Can Do Hard Things