The Oprah Winfrey Show: The Podcast

Discover transformative weight loss journeys as individuals reveal their emotional struggles and breakthroughs. Hear Oprah share personal insights on discipline and self-care, encouraging daily acts of self-love. Explore the importance of community support and personal responsibility in health decisions. Delve into the crucial role of preventative health for tweens, emphasizing a holistic approach. Journey into personal empowerment through a ten-step framework, highlighting commitment and hard work as keys to lasting wellness.

From October 10, 1995: Author and science journalist Dr. Daniel Goleman discusses his New York Times best-selling book, Emotional Intelligence. He explains how to handle our anger, how controlling impulses affect our lives and how we can increase our EQ at any point in our lives. Also, Dr. Martin Seligman—psychologist, educator and author of The Optimistic Child—explains the three aspects of optimism, how optimism increases emotional intelligence, and the correlation between pessimism and depression. 

From March 6, 1990: Oprah and Dr. Paul Pearsall, neuropsychologist and author of the New York Times best-seller, The Power of the Family, take the audience through a ‘rituals test’ to assess their family health. Dr. Pearsall discusses why families are failing, the importance of developing the “us” quotient and how just 15 minutes of spending time together as a family unit can make a difference. Dr. Paul Pearsall passed away in 2007.

In this thought-provoking discussion, Dr. Bernie Siegel, a pediatric surgeon and author known for his insights on self-healing, and Dr. Sherwin Nuland, an esteemed physician and author, delve into the mind-body connection. They debate the nuances of positive thinking versus reality in healing, sharing compelling personal stories from patients facing terminal illnesses. The conversation also touches on the importance of embracing authentic emotions and the role of love and personal responsibility in resilience, illuminating the complex interplay of mindset and health.

From October 15, 2008: Oprah takes her audience through a test to determine if they are rude. Professor at John Hopkins University and author of Choosing Civility: Twenty-Five Rules of Considerate Conduct, P.M. Forni, discusses the principles of respectful people, the difference between being rude and mean and explains why our quality of life depends on the quality of our relationships. Steve Dublanica, author of the New York Times bestseller, Waiter Rant, shares restaurant etiquette that most people don’t know. P.M. Forni passed away in 2018.

From October 12, 1998: Television personality, author and former psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw helps guests dealing with devastating loss. JoAnn Compton Powell shares that she has been unable to move forward after the death of her daughter, Laurie, over a decade ago. Dr. Phil shares his five coping skills for grief, causing JoAnn to have one of the deepest aha! moments in Oprah show history. Oprah and Dr. Phil also speaks to Brian Janette, who stopped taking care of himself after losing his mother.

Nathaniel Branden, renowned psychotherapist and author of How to Raise Your Self-Esteem, discusses the deep-rooted effects of childhood emotional abuse. He highlights personal stories from adults grappling with their past and explores how these experiences shape self-esteem and relationships. Branden emphasizes the power of conscious living and self-compassion as tools for healing. He delves into breaking the cycle of abuse and nurturing the inner child, encouraging listeners to embrace their journeys toward self-discovery and emotional growth.

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, a pioneering psychiatrist renowned for her insights into death and dying, opens up about welcoming her own mortality and the profound lessons learned from patients. Mitch Albom, bestselling author of 'Tuesdays with Morrie,' discusses how death offers an opportunity for teaching enduring love. Together, they explore themes of resilience, the significance of human connections, and the transformative power found in facing life's inevitable challenges. Their heartfelt conversations delve into a celebration of life amidst the shadows of loss.

From June 27, 1989: Oprah talks to grieving parents who lost their young children to handgun violence. Oprah also mediates a discussion on handgun legislation and education with a panel of guests including pediatrician Dr. Katherine Christoffel, National Rifle Association member Marion Hanner and former executive director of the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence, Barbara Laughton. 

Rudine Howard, a courageous woman who battled anorexia nervosa, shares her harrowing journey of struggle and survival. She opens up about her fear of food and the impact of treatments, like hypnotherapy, on her self-esteem. Insightful contributions from psychiatrists highlight the psychological roots of eating disorders, the cycle of denial, and the importance of breaking the silence surrounding these issues. Rudine's story serves as a poignant reminder of the emotional turmoil surrounding body image and the desperate need for understanding and support.