We Can Do Hard Things

Celeste Ng: Why You Feel Stuck (Best Of)

Apr 13, 2025

Celeste Ng, the bestselling author of *Everything I Never Told You* and *Little Fires Everywhere*, engages in a thought-provoking conversation about feeling stuck despite doing everything 'right.' She discusses the daunting question of 'What do you want?' and how to navigate midlife transitions while embracing the chaos. Ng also highlights the power of imagination in creating new realities, the complexity of motherhood, and the societal pressures women face regarding their desires. She encourages exploring change and finding fulfillment amid life's challenges.

01:05:04

Episode guests

Celeste Ng

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Understanding your authentic desires is crucial, and confronting the intimidating question of 'What do you want?' can initiate personal growth.

Art and literature have the potential to engage with critical societal issues, highlighting their role in activism and fostering empathy during difficult times.

The importance of community is emphasized as a source of shared experiences among women, helping to alleviate the pressures of unrealistic societal expectations.

Deep dives

The Value of Mentorship

Finding a mentor can significantly impact personal growth, and the importance of having a mentor like Amy Poehler is emphasized. Some learnings can be attained through structured classes, such as those offered on Masterclass, where experts share their knowledge. One class that stood out was James Clear's session on building habits, as it provided practical strategies for establishing a consistent daily routine. Utilizing Clear's strategies transformed the speaker's daily life, illustrating how effective mentorship can influence success.

Intro

2min

Unpacking Identity and Emotion

18min

Navigating Midlife Transitions and the Quest for Change

5min

Navigating Societal Expectations

17min

Styling and Identity in Chaotic Times

5min

The Heart of Parenting in a Complicated World

15min

The Transformative Power of Fiction and Motherhood

3min

1. What to do when you’ve done everything you were supposed to do and ended up in a place you don’t want to be.

2. Why the question “What do you want?” is terrifying – and how to start answering it authentically for yourself.

3. The power of imagining what does not yet exist in order to make space for new possibilities.

4. The gift of a “midlife crisis”

5. What a mother’s job really is.

About Celeste:

Celeste Ng is the number one New York Times bestselling author of Everything I Never Told You and Little Fires Everywhere. Her third novel, Our Missing Hearts, is available now. Ng is the recipient of fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Guggenheim Foundation, and her work has been published in over thirty languages.

TW: @pronounced_ing

IG: @pronounced_ing

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices