"If I can experience joy, then isn't joy its own excuse for being, isn't that enough of a reason to be alive? And everything I read or heard about people with down syndrome, was that they could experience tremendous amounts of joy. So I chose to keep Adam, but more importantly, I radically shifted the definition of success for myself."-Martha Beck Martha Beck is one of my dearest friends and favorite people. She’s also one of the first people I turn to when I need a boost of inspiration or just someone to talk to about the issues in life that we all face. Like me, I know that so many people - millions of you, actually -  respect and cherish Martha’s voice. That’s why I wanted to share her with you here on “Meaningful Conversations” today. Enjoy. If you’re looking for more inspiration and words of wisdom, then please sign up for my free weekly email newsletter - The Sunday Paper. Visit website mariashriver.com to subscribe.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Biohacking didn't have a definition, that wasn't a word...I created this conference with thousands of people and there's now millions of people will say, "I'm a biohacker. I want control of my own biology." It's now in the dictionary. But that community was partly something that I built because I wanted to be around people who value the things I did...Around this self awareness, around having control of your body so that you can show up the way you want to show up." -Dave Asprey ​ Dave Asprey is “hacking” the way we think about our health.  As the CEO and founder of Bulletproof, Dave has made it his mission to reimagine what it means to live well — mentally and physically.  Dave and his company have been big supporters of my nonprofit The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement, and I wanted to sit down with him today for this podcast so that I could share with you his unique perspective on how we can “biohack” our lives and perform and live better each and every day.  If you’re looking for more inspiration and words of wisdom, then please sign up for my free weekly email newsletter - The Sunday Paper. Visit website mariashriver.com to subscribe.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"The minute you can kind of say, wow, the widow, orphan stranger, the folks at the margins, these are my trustworthy guides, I'm going to go there so they can lead me to the kinship. Oh God. Well that's, you've just turned privilege on its head because you're not guiding them or leading them. They're doing that to you." -Father Greg Boyle Father Greg Boyle is the Founder and Executive Director of Homeboy Industries and one of my real life heroes. Originally a Los Angeles secret and now a national treasure, I admire pretty much everything about him and his work. He is a global champion of social justice, a global champion of the divinity in each of us, and a global champion people, in general. He focuses on people who were in gangs and the rehabilitation of that, but larger than that to me, he really cares about the beauty that exists in each and every one of us. So I want to welcome Father Boyle and we want to sell his book, Barking to the Choir: The power of Radical Kinship. Listen in to hear what radical Kinship is, how to get involved with social justice and help your fellow human being. If you’re looking for more inspiration and words of wisdom, then please sign up for my free weekly email newsletter - The Sunday Paper. Visit website mariashriver.com to subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"My meaning in life has been changing suffering, into connection...Whatever we go through as human beings, realizing we're not alone and helping other people realize they're not alone." ​ -Sharon Salzberg​ Sharon Salzberg is someone I have admired for quite some time. She is one of America’s preeminent voices on meditation, and her work and practices are beloved by many.  Sharon herself came to meditation after a childhood of loss and turmoil. Meditation helped her overcome suffering and set her on this path to help others heal from its transformational powers as well.  She is the author of ten books, including “Real Happiness” and “Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection,” and today, Sharon talks with me about the concept of loving-kindness and how we can offer it to ourselves and others in these tumultuous times​ If you’re looking for more inspiration and words of wisdom, then please sign up for my free weekly email newsletter - The Sunday Paper. Visit website mariashriver.com to subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"There's this fire sometimes inside you that you have to grab down deep. And it is literally like talking to yourself...Like, 'pull yourself off the floor....what am I going to do proactively today to move forward, to progress forward?' And if I get turned away again at another bank...I'm just going to go to another one, and I'm going to go to another one, and I'm going to go to another one...And I think it's that tenacity of I'm not going to give up." ​-Kendra Scott Kendra Scott is a mom turned millionaire, and her success story is pretty amazing. Back in 2002, Kendra started her own jewelry line in her spare bedroom. Today, it’s a multimillion dollar company with close to 100 stores across the United States and even one in the UK. Kendra is self-made in every sense of the word, which is why I asked her to join me on stage at South By Southwest recently for a conversation about balancing female entrepreneurship with being a mom — all while giving back doing good along the way. Kendra’s story inspired me, and I hope it inspires you today as well.  If you’re looking for more inspiration and words of wisdom, then please sign up for my free weekly email newsletter - The Sunday Paper. Visit website mariashriver.com to subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"If you want love, change one thing, how much you believe you're worth. Then, you will find love." -Marisa Peer I am enough. Three simple words that we don’t tell are selves nearly as often as we should. Bestselling author and therapist Marisa Peer is determined to help us change that. She says if we turn the mirror on ourselves and start saying “I am enough”—then we can build the strength and the confidence to change our entire lives. ​ I’m excited that I got to sit down with her for a Meaningful Conversation and look forward to you hearing what she has to say. If you’re looking for more inspiration and words of wisdom, then please sign up for my free weekly email newsletter - The Sunday Paper. Visit website mariashriver.com to subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I think the thing that hits me the most is: I didn't think about, you know, how strong I came across for so long. I just thought there's all these other sides of me that everybody must automatically know about...But there was only one side of me I was showing on like say, Chelsea Lately, my old old TV show, and I realize how one dimensional that was...So it's nice to take into account how I come across and to be softer and to shut up and not to insert myself every time there's an opportunity. So for me, I need to always dial it down...I've made a career out of dialing it up...So I would like to get real, you know, instead of that bluster...I want to get real and have conversations like this, and yeah, I feel good about it." -Chelsea Handler Chelsea Handler is one funny lady. That’s a fact. But these days, she’s more than just a comedian. Chelsea is also someone who’s spent the past year getting super honest and super real about her role on this planet and what it really means to live a meaningful life. Chelsea documents her year of self-discovery in her new book Life Will Be the Death of Me: . . . and You Too! We recently met up for a fun and thought-provoking conversation about her life these days and how she’s worked to make changes to who she is and how she lives her life. If you’re looking for more inspiration and words of wisdom, then please sign up for my free weekly email newsletter - The Sunday Paper. Visit website mariashriver.com to subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Everybody wants to be brave, but no one wants to be vulnerable...Courage doesn't exist without vulnerability." -Brene Brown Brené Brown wants to help you choose “Courage over comfort.” She has spent the past two decades of her life researching and writing about courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. She’s got five New York Times bestselling books, including her latest Dare to Lead. She’s also the brains behind one of the most popular TED Talks ever, titled “The Power of Vulnerability.” Now, Brené also has her first Netflix Special “A Call to Courage,” in which she calls for us to choose courage over comfort in a culture that’s defined by scarcity, fear and uncertainty. I recently got to sit down with Brené and we enjoyed an engaging and thought-provoking conversation about empathy, belonging and human connection. Her message always inspires me to lean into the uncomfortable parts of life and find the courage I need to show up and show my true self. I hope her message today will inspire you to do the same. If you’re looking for more inspiration and words of wisdom, then please sign up for my free weekly email newsletter - The Sunday Paper. Visit website mariashriver.com to subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"And she said to me, "How would you like to be my friend?" I looked at her and I started to cry. I said, "I really don't have no friends," and she went in her purse, She got a little card and it says Special Olympics...And says, "I want you to write me." I said, "I can't write that good. You won't be able to understand." She said, "Don't worry about it. I want you to write me. I want you to be my friend." And we start coordinating back and forth...writing back and forth...I said, "Well, Mrs. Shriver..." she looked at me and says, "You don't call me Mrs. Shriver. You call me Eunice, you understand? We're friends​.'"  -Loretta Claiborne If you’re looking for some real inspiration in your life, look no further than Loretta Claiborne.  Loretta is someone I’ve known and admired for quite some time. She is a world-class runner, a gifted motivational speaker – and, just so happens to be a Special Olympics athlete and a person with an intellectual disability.  Get this, she’s also received two honorary doctorate degrees; completed 26 marathons; received the 1996 ESPY Award-Arthur Ashe Award for Courage; has a 4th degree black belt in karate; and was inducted into the Women in Sports Hall of Fame and the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Hall of Fame.  Loretta also appeared twice on the Oprah show, communicates in four languages and is fluent in American sign language.  I mean WOW.  Loretta is a woman who has NEVER let her disability hold her back. And her mission is to inspire the rest of us to reach our full potential as well, and not let limitations in life hold us back.  I recently caught up with Loretta at the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi and I am so thrilled this morning that I get to share her voice here with you today. ​  If you’re looking for more inspiration and words of wisdom, then please sign up for my free weekly email newsletter - The Sunday Paper. Visit website mariashriver.com to subscribe.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"It was hard-earned and not the easiest thing to do, and something really drastic had to come along to say, 'Wake up! Like, come on. You know, you're working seven days a week and you're taking care of everybody. What are you doing for Tina?' And it was very little." -Tina Knowles Lawson I’m so delighted this morning to share with you one of my favorite moms to talk to – Ms. Tina Knowles Lawson. Tina is the mom of two incredible daughters who you’ve probably heard of -- Beyonce and Solange Knowles. While her daughters’ careers have exploded before the public eye, Tina has always been there behind the scenes helping to make sure her daughters were properly managed, cared for and supported along the way. I always find my conversations with Ms. Tina – as we like to call her – to be insightful when it comes to exploring what it means to be a mom, how to raise strong women, and how to maintain your own voice and identity along the way.​ If you’re looking for more inspiration and words of wisdom, then please sign up for my free weekly email newsletter - The Sunday Paper. Visit website mariashriver.com​ to subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I think because I've always defined myself since I was 12 years old as a child of God...That is what gives me self worth. Not Emmy Awards, not Tony nominations, not Grammy nominations. All of those things I've experienced, and they're lovely...But ultimately, at the end of a lifetime, it's, 'Who do you belong to? Whose image are you made in?' Because this life we live right here is temporal."​ -Kathie Lee Gifford Kathie Lee Gifford is a dear friend and someone whose career I've watched with admiration for many, many years. This week is her last at the today show, and while I'll be sad to lose her as a colleague, I'm super excited for her to embark on this next really creative chapter of her life. I wanted to sit down with her for meaningful conversations because we have some of the most meaningful conversations early in the morning in the makeup room on the today show. And I got to thinking that most people don't get to see the Kathie Lee Gifford that I get to see early in the morning, the one who wakes up and talks about family and that talks about the Bible and who memorizes all of these verses and who's a really multifaceted person, who kind of has these ideas and barrels through and makes them reality. So I wanted you to hear from her directly. And even though she's leaving the today show, she's not going to leave our consciousness. Enjoy! If you’re looking for more inspiration and words of wisdom, then please sign up for my free weekly email newsletter - The Sunday Paper. Visit website mariashriver.com to subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 "There's a great story in the Gospel of Luke...the story of Zacchaeus, the tax collector...and there's a line when Jesus reaches out to him, that says, 'all who saw it began to grumble,' and I often think, 'well, that's what's going on in our church, and online.' People don't like the fact that we're being merciful and they're grumbling. So frankly, it seems to me there's two places to stand: you can stand with Jesus who offers people mercy, or you can stand with the crowd who grumbles." -Father James Martin Father James Martin is someone who I have admired for quite some time. He is a Jesuit priest, a bestselling author, and the editor-at-large of America Magazine. He’s also someone who isn’t afraid to speak up and speak out about the Catholic Church today. Day in and day out, Father Martin uses his voice to advocate for refugees, migrants, the L.G.B.T. community, the environment, and more. His views aren’t always embraced by everyone, but I respect him for never wavering and for always standing up for what he believes. As a life-long Catholic, our conversation today is an important one to me because, well, it isn’t so easy to be Catholic these days. Father Martin’s perspective always gives me something to think about, and that’s why I wanted to share it with you here today. If you’re looking for more inspiration and words of wisdom, then please sign up for my free weekly email newsletter - The Sunday Paper. Visit website mariashriver.com to subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"There's a story going on in the country that we don't really understand yet. It's not the story of people who are progressive's hating people who are conservatives, or people who are conservatives, hating people who are progressives. That's largely a story told by politics in the media...But there's a whole other story emerging, which we don't yet have the name for. I believe it's the story of people at the bottom who value relationships more than anything, who value action and authenticity...They don't necessarily identify with a party, they identify with causes that matter to them deeply. They identify with a sense of moral, transformation. They, they connect to people...There's a sense of openness and trust...That's not the divisive story...It's not the story of we hate each other. It's the story of people who want to almost have a belief system that values openness and service and respect and dignity above all those other things." -Timothy Shriver Today’s episode is a Yippee Moment for me because I get to share with you a conversation that I recently had with my brother Timothy Shriver. Timothy, or Timmy as I like to call him, is the chairman of the Special Olympics, which our mother founded back in 1968. He is also the leader of the Inclusion Revolution and the board chair of CASEL, a collaborate that is working to make evidence-based social and emotional learning a part of our educational system. Timmy is a man who is on a quest to discover what matters most in life. Our conversations are always meaningful to me because we always go deep and really explore how we feel about the world today. We’re also both committed to living and leading from a place of hope, instead of despair. I have no doubt that Timmy will inspire you and make you think today! If you’re looking for more inspiration and words of wisdom, then please sign up for my free weekly email newsletter - The Sunday Paper. Visit website mariashriver.com to subscribe.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"There's an incredible lack of awareness around personal care cosmetics because people think that the FDA, like it does in the food industry, has the ability to protect the American consumer. And the reality of the situation is, that we have laws dating back 80 years that are insufficient and chemicals of concern in the products we use every day." -Gregg Renfrew ​ Have you ever stopped to think about the ingredients in the beauty or skin products you use every day? I have to admit, I never thought twice about it myself… at least not before I met Gregg Renfrew.  Gregg is a friend and someone I like to call a “female business warrior.” As the founder of the company BeautyCounter, Gregg is on a mission to get toxic chemicals and harmful ingredients out of the products we use. She’s a wife and mom, like me, and like so many of you. She’s also built a movement of women who are pushing back against the beauty industry and trying to build a company that demands we all deserve better.​  If you’re looking for more inspiration and words of wisdom, then please sign up for my free weekly email newsletter - The Sunday Paper. Visit website mariashriver.com to subscribe.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I realized that the cultural scripts about older women, first of all, they are often misogynistic, but there are also primarily scripts where are defined by what we no longer have...The real story is this life stage is catalytic for growth. It's a walking into a portal where we have so much opportunity to develop our moral imaginations. our deep sense of gratitude for life, our sense for deep time in the long view, our own authenticity and self-acceptance. So that's what I wanted to do...I wanted to write about what I was actually seeing and experiencing with women my age."   -Mary Pipher    How can we age gracefully in the world today? And, more importantly, how can we age with dignity?   I think a lot about these questions, which is why I’m so elated that I recently got to speak with Mary Pipher, the author of “Women Rowing North: Navigating Life’s Currents and Flourishing as We Age.”   Mary wrote one of the preeminent books for teenage girls back in 1994 called “Reviving Ophelia.” Her new book, in her words, is a bookend that provides perspective and wisdom about what it means to be a woman later in life.   Mary called me from her home base in Nebraska to talk about aging, the stereotypes surrounding it, and about how we can find more happiness and meaning as we get older.   I love what she has to say, and I can’t wait for you to listen.   If you’re looking for more inspiration and words of wisdom, then please sign up for my free weekly email newsletter - The Sunday Paper. Visit website mariashriver.com to subscribe.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"This is about dignity. It's about human dignity. I have yet to meet someone who strives to be homeless, strives to be unemployed...People want their dignity...They want to come in, they want to be part of something. They want to give back. Everyone can contribute in some way"  -Dorothea Bon Jovi   This episode of “Meaningful Conversations” is a very special one to me because, this week, I get to share with you the voice of my dear friend Jon Bon Jovi and his wife, Dorothea.   I have known Jon and Dorothea for years and I just adore them as a couple. Not only are they a lot of fun, but they are also using their voices and their platforms to move humanity forward in a pretty incredible way.   If you hear Jon Bon Jovi’s name and think you have him and Dorothea all figured out, then you’re wrong. Trust me, these two are doing important work – God’s work – both through their Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation and through their JBJ Soul Kitchens, which are community restaurants where everyone is welcome and no one is turned away.   It’s really quite amazing what Jon and Dorothea have built together and I can’t wait for you to learn more.   If you’re looking for more inspiration and words of wisdom, then please sign up for my free weekly email newsletter - The Sunday Paper. Visit website mariashriver.com to subscribe.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I think motivation is a muscle. I think confidence is a muscle. I think tenacity is a muscle...And like any other muscle, you've got to keep working it out if you want to stay strong and grow it." -Jen Sincero Jen Sincero is a badass. That’s the truth. Ever since she released her book “You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Live an Awesome Life” in 2013, Jen has been motivating and inspiring millions of people to wake up to their own potential and create the lives they want.  I wanted to talk to Jen for my podcast because I was sure she would bring a fresh perspective to the topic of finding purpose and meaning in our everyday lives. Jen delivers wisdom and a reality check in this episode that I can’t wait for you to hear what she has to say. If you’re looking for more inspiration and words of wisdom, then please sign up for my free weekly email newsletter - The Sunday Paper. Visit my website mariashriver.com to subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"When you know what you are, you know you are love, you love with no conditions. You're not selfish...You just share yourself, you give yourself…When you receive love, you have so much gratitude, and that gratitude will change into generosity. The more you receive, you have more gratitude and become more generous. Then you rise in love, you don't fall in love." -Don Miguel Ruiz   I am so excited for you to hear this episode today because I get to share with you the wisdom of one of my all-time favorite writers and thinkers, Don Miguel Ruiz.   You probably know Don Miguel as the author of the international bestseller “The Four Agreements” or for his new book “The Three Questions.” I myself have admired him for years because he speaks so beautifully about the meaning of life and about the spiritual journey that we’re all on together.   Today, I especially wanted to talk to Don Miguel about the topic of LOVE. It’s a word that’s tossed around so much in our society and culture, but what does it really mean? What does it really mean to us?Don Miguel and I explore those questions and more, in this episode.   If you’re looking for more inspiration and words of wisdom, then please sign up for my free weekly email newsletter - The Sunday Paper. Visit website mariashriver.com to subscribe.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Being present is more important than what you say. Being present is more important than giving someone the right quote or the right whatever. Being there, sitting there matters...And I think that sometimes it's as simple as that.”  -Hoda Kotb  On this episode, I'm joined by a dear friend of mine, a beloved colleague at NBC News, and, just an all-around beautiful human being whom I really adore. In our conversation, Hoda speaks about the impact that strangers had on her life especially during tough times.  She also talks about channeling those profound experiences and sharing her journey with others to help them - whether it's on adoption or cancer treatment - and how that spirit of championing others has always been a part of her. I'm honored to speak with her about these intimate subjects.  If you’re looking for more inspiration and words of wisdom, then please sign up for my free weekly email newsletter - The Sunday Paper. Visit website mariashriver.com to subscribe.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“If you are looking at what's going on in the world today and what's going on in our democracy, and you're not depressed, what is wrong with you? These are sobering times. These are legitimately upsetting times. Our democracy is under assault.”  Marianne Williamson On this episode, I’m joined by Marianne Williamson. Marianne is a bestselling author and lecturer who has touched the lives of millions...myself included.  Like so many of us, Marianne is continuing to evolve and challenge herself to find new ways to move humanity forward. I’m honored to speak with her about her hope for America and how she’s using spiritual wisdom to help soothe the soul of the country and pave the way to both personal and national renewal. If you’re looking for more inspiration and words of wisdom, then please sign up for my free weekly email newsletter - The Sunday Paper. Visit website mariashriver.com to subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“I think it's the little, tiny things that you do to try to be an authentic person that incrementally chip by chip, by chip, by chip, by chip, one day there's enough weight on the scale. Now, the scale goes in your favor. For me, it's being able to look back at what I've been able to do in my life. I can see the value in it whether it's my marriage, my boys, their accomplishments, the things that I've done as a public figure, who I am as a person including all my flaws, but eventually, all of that becomes enough.”- Rob Lowe Rob Lowe is a man who requires little introduction. He’s an award-winning actor, director, producer, author, husband and a proud dad. And, you may not know this, but he’s also one of my dearest friends. I wanted to kick off my podcast series with Rob because I knew we could talk candidly about the issues that so many of us are facing in our relationships, our families, our careers, and our inner lives. Rob has lived through it all and has remained grounded and fully focused on the things that truly matter- living in authenticity, being a positive person and putting family first. “I'm not a good giver-upper.” - Rob Lowe If you’re looking for more inspiration and words of wisdom, then please sign up for my free weekly email newsletter - The Sunday Paper. Visit website mariashriver.com to subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meaningful Conversations with Maria Shriver launches January 21st. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices