Kelly Corrigan Wonders

A deep dive on "making" with Kelly's daughter Claire and Pete Docter, the creative genius behind Pixar classics. Pete shares how he discovered animation, his journey to Pixar, and the evolution of films like "Up" and "Monsters Inc." Despite his success, he remains refreshingly humble about the creative process. His golden advice for young creators: just make stuff and push beyond your comfort zone. Pete reflects on the film "Inside Out": "I was there for every major decision, but where did this come from?". A reminder that creativity remains wonderfully mysterious, even for the masters.Check out Kelly and Claire's new children's book Marianne the Maker - you can pre-order HERE.To celebrate the release of Marianne the Maker, Penguin Young Readers is matching each pre-order with a donation of the book to Save the Children’s early education programs in the U.S. — up to 2,000 books. Pre-order your copy today and help inspire a love of reading in the lives of children who may not otherwise have access to books.Occasionally hyperlinks don't work on desktop computers, below you'll find the addresses for the links above:Marianne the Maker website: https://www.mariannethemaker.comTo preorder Marianne the Maker: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/marianne-the-maker-kelly-corrigan/1146247121?ean=9780593206096 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

Kelly shares Jennifer Cramer-Miller's beautiful story about the life-changing gift of organ donation. Through touching thank-you letters written after her kidney transplant, Jennifer shows us how one act of generosity created a ripple effect of kindness and gratitude. Her story reminds us that heroes walk among us every day, often without recognition.Portions of this episode are excerpted from Jennifer Cramer-Miller's memoir, Incurable Optimist. To learn more about how organ donation saves lives, visit Donate Life. 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

Food for thought on America Ferrera’s speech at the climax of Barbie, informed by the great Jia Tolentino (a former guest who I found totally fascinating and original) and her book Trick Mirror. Let us never forget that we are a product of our culture. Please share, especially with the younger generation working to figure out who they are. (Previously aired) 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

In episode one of our Makers series, Kelly and her daughter Claire speak with neuroscientist Susan Magsamen and Google's Chief Design Officer Ivy Ross about how art and creativity affect our brains and bodies. Their book, Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us, reveals that making isn't just a hobby but a fundamental human need that improves wellbeing, helps process trauma, and enhances learning. Susan and Ivy explain how singing to babies releases oxytocin, how arts education closes achievement gaps, and why creative expression matters for everyone from CEOs to doctors to children.Check out Kelly and Claire's new children's book Marianne the Maker - you can pre-order HERE.To celebrate the release of Marianne the Maker, Penguin Young Readers is matching each pre-order with a donation of the book to Save the Children’s early education programs in the U.S. — up to 2,000 books. Pre-order your copy today and help inspire a love of reading in the lives of children who may not otherwise have access to books.Occasionally hyperlinks don't work on desktop computers so here are the addresses for the links above:Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0593449231Marianne the Maker website: https://www.mariannethemaker.comTo preorder Marianne the Maker: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/marianne-the-maker-kelly-corrigan/1146247121?ean=9780593206096 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

Today's Thanks For Being Here is a speech KCW producer Tammy Stedman recently delivered at her alma mater, Washington College, about the lasting impact of her college experience. She reflects on how the personal connections, individual attention, and sense of community shaped not just her career in media, but her approach to life and learning. Tammy's story reminds us that education at its best equips us not just with knowledge, but with the curiosity and critical thinking skills needed for thoughtful engagement with our complex world. 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

Join an exciting discussion about an upcoming live event in Bozeman, MT, aimed at battling loneliness through creativity. The gathering will feature various artistic activities like writing, singing, and stitching, inviting diverse individuals to connect and collaborate. The emphasis on 'engaged leisure' highlights the importance of community in today's world. This unique opportunity promises to spark inspiration and foster understanding among participants.

Tammy Stedman, a longtime producer of the show, shares her passion for Oscar-winning films. Together with Kelly, they reminisce about their favorite Best Picture winners and what makes a screenplay memorable. They delve into timeless classics like 'Million Dollar Baby' and 'Parasite,' discussing storytelling techniques and rich character development. The conversation is filled with laughter as they critique past Academy decisions and debate the merits of indie films versus blockbusters. It's a delightful exploration of cinema as they gear up for Oscar Sunday!

Estimates are that about every 15 minutes we make a decision and that decision often involves a choice of who to put first, ourselves or someone else. The culture and business of self is thriving. Richard Lui is a news anchor whose life has asked him to repeatedly consider the ping ponging we all do between acts of selfishness and acts of selflessness. Eight years ago, he started flying cross-country weekly to take care of his father who had Alzheimer's and if you ask him, caring for them is both a harrowing duty and a privilege with many benefits. After talking to Richard, Kelly did a deep dive into what we know about trauma and grief with research, author and Columbia professor George Bonanno. This conversation is for anyone and everyone who is caring for another person. Please share.(Previously aired) 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

Today's Thanks For Being Here features a touching eulogy shared by Diana Weymar, creator of the Tiny Pricks Instagram account. Through thoughtful birthday emails, Diana's daughter Liza found connection with her grandfather Tom. At his funeral, she shared how their unique bond shaped her life, even when their relationship wasn't always easy. A beautiful reminder of how family stories help us understand ourselves and those we love. 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

Discover fresh insights on boosting happiness with psychologist Jenny Taitz's innovative approaches. Learn how to savor joyful moments and transform disappointments into growth opportunities. The conversation emphasizes the importance of social connections for personal well-being. Explore techniques that treat happiness like a muscle you can strengthen, focusing on positivity and mindfulness. Find out how sharing good experiences can lift your spirits and improve productivity, even in tough times.