Alive with Steve Burns

[Original air date: September 17, 2025] Steve and Jamie discuss what it means to be real and be human in a world of manufactured authenticity.Jamie Lee Curtis is an actress, producer, and children’s author. She has won numerous awards (Academy Award, BAFTA, Primetime Emmy, among others) and is considered one of the original scream queens. She is known for her iconic roles in the Halloween franchise, A Fish Called Wanda, Perfect, and Everything Everywhere All At Once.   Follow Jamie Lee Curtis @jamieleecurtis on Instagram. You can follow Steve Burns @steveburnsalive on Instagram. Watch full episodes of Alive on YouTube. Stay up to date with Lemonada on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.    If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content from Steve. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe.    Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Steven talks with death doula Alua Arthur about how to prepare for the end of life before it becomes an emergency, and why doing so is one of the most generous things you can do for the people you love.   They walk through what end-of-life planning actually entails: wills, advance directives, healthcare proxies, power of attorney, medical decisions, and how to have these conversations with your family before a crisis forces them. Alua breaks down what matters most, what’s often misunderstood, and where people tend to get stuck.   This grounded, honest conversation about mortality also explores grief, regret, family dynamics, and why so many end-of-life choices are made for the comfort of the living rather than the wishes of the dying.  Alua explains how you can find peace from planning, break through this award subject with loved ones, and maybe even  live life a little more mindfully.   ** if you like this episode, then check out these ** What is Dying  https://youtu.be/DXMdWpFTNhY Why Money Stresses Us Out  https://youtu.be/-F7hR9k4EiI ———————————————   Alive with Steve Burns - Season One Episode 18 | Alua Arthur   Instagram: @alivewithsteveburns TikTok: @alivewithsteveburns ————————————————   Exclusive Offers For Our Listeners:   BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at betterhelp.com/stevealive.    Hero Bread is offering 10% off your order. Go to hero.co and use code STEVE at checkout.   Check out Little Saints and discover your Magic Hour. Visit littlesaints.com and use code ALIVE to get 15% Off Your First Order.    Go to drinkag1.com/alive to get their best offer. That’s 3 FREE AG1 Travel Packs and 3 FREE AGZ Travel Packs, plus FREE Vitamin D3+K2 and an AG1 Welcome Kit with your first AG1 subscription order!   Go to Midea.com to see how you can bring home a little wow today.  Watch full episodes of Alive on YouTube. Stay up to date with Lemonada on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.    If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content from Steve. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe.    Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

** DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE NOW**   What does masculinity actually mean in a world where the old rules no longer seem to apply?    Social scientist Richard Reeves joins the show for a clear-eyed, data-driven conversation about why so many men feel untethered - and why the loudest online answers are mostly wrong. From “strength under control” to the quiet crisis facing boys and young men, this is a conversation about purpose, identity, and what masculinity is for, not what it’s against.   We explore why rapid economic and social change has left many men without a clear script, how online culture amplifies extreme reactions, and why boys and young men are quietly struggling in education, work, mental health, and social connection.   Exclusive Deals for our listeners –   Head to MarleySpoon.com/ALIVE for up to 25 FREE meals! You can follow Steve Burns @steveburnsalive on Instagram. Watch full episodes of Alive on YouTube. Stay up to date with Lemonada on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.    If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content from Steve. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe.    Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why are we so easily persuaded by charisma? In this episode, historian and writer Molly Worthen talks about the strange, magnetic force we call charisma and why it’s having such a moment right now.    Why aren’t facts more persuasive?    When does inspiration slide into manipulation?    How do you know when a story is moving  you or using you?    This isn’t about charm or “rizz.” It’s about storytelling, certainty, and the deep human need to feel part of something bigger.   Exclusive Deals for our listeners –   Head to MarleySpoon.com/ALIVE for up to 25 FREE meals!   Go to quince.com/alive for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.   Go to this exclusive web address right now to try ZipRecruiter FOR FREE: ziprecruiter.com/alive. You can follow Steve Burns @steveburnsalive on Instagram. Watch full episodes of Alive on YouTube. Stay up to date with Lemonada on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.    If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content from Steve. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe.    Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gretchen Rubin, bestselling author and happiness researcher, shares her insights on what happiness truly means. She emphasizes that negative emotions, like sadness and regret, are vital for growth and understanding. Instead of fixating on constant positivity, she advocates for embracing a full emotional spectrum. Rubin also discusses the importance of enjoying the journey rather than merely focusing on outcomes, and how our environments and technology shape our well-being. Her practical approach offers a refreshing take on cultivating happiness.

In a captivating chat, Steve Burns, the beloved former host of Blue's Clues, dives into his journey of creating his podcast, Alive with Steve Burns. He shares how a viral COVID video inspired him to speak candidly about mental health. Steve reflects on the importance of listening, both learned through children's TV and fostered in his new medium. He discusses the power of silence in conversations and the beauty of embracing imperfection, all while aiming to help listeners reconnect with their childhood curiosity and wonder.

This week, we’re taking a deep breath for the holidays, so we’re sharing an episode of Hasan Minhaj Doesn’t Know. Hasan sits down with documentary legend Ken Burns for a conversation that feels a bit like American history class — if history class were funny, generous, and quietly profound. Ken joins Hasan to talk about his new film on the American Revolution, the stories we choose to tell about ourselves as a country, and why all our dads love him so much. It’s a warm, curious, and unexpectedly funny conversation about history, memory, and the people we turn to when we’re trying to understand who we are. If you want to hear more episodes, follow Hasan Minhaj Doesn’t Know wherever you get your podcasts or head to: https://lemonada.lnk.to/HasanMinhajDoesntKnowfdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daryl Davis, a blues musician and activist, shares his groundbreaking experiences engaging with white supremacists, including his encounters with Klan members. He discusses how childhood experiences sparked his quest to understand hatred and led him to confront it through conversation. Daryl's approach emphasizes patience and understanding, illustrating how friendship can bridge ideological divides. He highlights the transformative power of exposure and education, sharing stories of over 200 individuals who renounced hate after their dialogues with him.

Steve and Cas get silly as they discuss the serious work of play and how it shapes and enriches our lives. Cas Holman is a toy designer, writer, and expert on design. She developed the renowned Rigamajig line of toys. Cas was previously a professor at Syracuse University and the Rhode Island School of Design. She was featured on Netflix’s Abstract: The Art of Design. Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/ALIVE. Promo Code ALIVE.  Use code alivewithsteve at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: https://incogni.com/alivewithsteve.  Get last-minute hosting essentials, gifts for all your loved ones, and decor to celebrate the holidays for WAY less. Head to wayfair.com right now to shop all things home.  Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to zocdoc.com/alive to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today. Alive with Steve Burns listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com/stevealive. You can follow Steve Burns @steveburnsalive on Instagram. Watch full episodes of Alive on YouTube. Stay up to date with Lemonada on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content from Steve. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve catches up with the amazing Rainn Wilson as they do a deep dive on faith, meaning, and a higher power. Rainn Wilson is an actor, comedian, and director. He is best known as Dwight Schrute on NBC’s The Office (2005-2013). He won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of Dwight. Rainn is currently the host of the Soul Boom podcast.   BetterHelp: Alive with Steve Burns listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com/stevealive.  Quince: Go to quince.com/alive for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Aura:: Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/ALIVE. Promo Code ALIVE.  NordVPN: 🌎Get Exclusive NordVPN deal here https://nordvpn.com/alivewithsteve  It’s risk- free with Nord’s 30-day money back guarantee!  JLab: Look for the blue box at retailers everywhere or shop jlab.com and use code ALIVE for 15% off your order today.   You can follow Steve Burns @steveburnsalive on Instagram. Watch full episodes of Alive on YouTube. Stay up to date with Lemonada on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get ad-free episodes and bonus content from Steve. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.