Well Said

About this podcast

Want to sleep better? Cultivate calm? Live more sustainably? Well Said connects you to experts, authors, and thought-leaders on the art and science of living well. Hosted by Chief Booklover Heather Reisman and journalist Shivani Persad, each episode invites you into meaningful conversations about well-being and offers takeaways for every day. Listen, learn, live well.

Well Said

Episodes

2021
Fareed Zakaria on Post-Pandemic Life
CNN host and award winning journalist Fareed Zakaria speaks to us about the political, social, technological, and economic trends that are unfolding at a rapid rate due to the pandemic. Plus, the direct connection between the coronavirus pandemic and a decades long disregard for our planet.
April 7, 2021
27 min
Rebecca Carroll on The White Gaze
Award-winning author Rebecca Carroll understood the allure of storytelling very early in life. Today, she has an extensive resume as a journalist, cultural critic, WNYC radio producer, and podcast host. She’s written several critically acclaimed books on race and racial identity in America. Her latest, Surviving the White Gaze, is a powerful memoir about her experience growing up as the sole Black child in an all-white community. She speaks to us about the art of crafting a memoir, the moment she first heard the term ‘white gaze’ from Toni Morrison herself, and her family members’ reactions to the book. Plus, how writing the memoir helped to release painful memories from her body and contributed to her overall wellness.
March 31, 2021
24 min
Mark Bittman on the Impact of Food
How did we go from foraging food to our current system of industrial agriculture? New York Times bestselling author Mark Bittman is an authority on all things food. He’s written over 30 books on the topic, and his latest, Animal, Vegetable, Junk: A History of Food, From Sustainable to Suicidal, is a critical history of human food consumption. He speaks to us about the interconnectedness of industrial agriculture and serious issues like pollution, racism, water degradation, and a diet-related public health crisis. Plus, he shares the first steps we can take to move away from destructive practices.
March 24, 2021
21 min
Adam Grant on the Power of an Open Mind
Organizational psychologist Adam Grant is challenging us to think again. Actually, he wants us to think more like scientists—and remain open to new knowledge. He shares powerful ideas from his new book Think Again around the power of life-long learning, challenging your beliefs, how to enter into healthy debate (not to win, but to learn), and the fascinating difference between asking ‘why’ and ‘how’ questions. Plus, which questions to ask if you find yourself in a debate with a conspiracy theorist.
March 17, 2021
27 min
Elizabeth Kolbert on Climate Change
In 2005, New Yorker staff writer Elizabeth Kolbert set out to answer the question once and for all: Is climate change real? Her three-part series revealed that, yes, it was real. But that didn’t exactly settle the debate. Today, Kolbert is a pioneer in climate change journalism, exploring the many ways we have tried to face the consequences of our own environmental actions. She speaks to us about her reporting journeys, and the pressing need to fundamentally examine how we live and consume energy. Plus, how her taste for dark comedy has seeped into her latest book.
March 10, 2021
20 min
Rupi Kaur on Finding Your Voice
Originally writing under a pseudonym on her Tumblr blog, Rupi Kaur has gone on to share her poetry with millions of people through a much-loved Instagram account and three best selling books that have been translated into over 40 languages world-wide. She speaks to us about how vulnerability shapes her writing, and how poetry and activism go hand in hand. She shares tips for artists trying to find their voice (like writing what you are most afraid to) and she talks candidly about her experience with depression. Plus, how the stillness of lockdown forced her to reconsider her life as a productivity junkie.
March 3, 2021
23 min
Jay Shetty on Mindfulness
Jay Shetty lived as a monk for three years. And now, he shares what he learned from this mindful mindset with people around the world. He speaks to us how he has incorporated these practices to his daily life, and how you can, too. He also shares the key to strong, meaningful relationships, and how to embrace challenging or painful life experiences. Plus, learn the four daily habits he lives by: thankfulness, inspiration, meditation, and exercise.
February 24, 2021
21 min
Robert Jones Jr. on Writing with Purpose
As an BFA student minoring in Africana studies, Robert Jones Jr. read hundreds of pages of canon and asked himself, “Where are all the Black queer people?” As Toni Morrison once said about writing: if there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it. After his MFA, Jones went on to pen his debut novel ‘The Prophets’ to critical acclaim. Jones speaks about his creative process, the power of writing, how reading helps to build empathy, and why representational stories matter.
February 17, 2021
24 min
Tiffany Shlain on Unplugging
Could you go 24 hours without using any screens? That’s what Tiffany Shlain, author of 24/6: The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week has been doing for more than a decade. The “tech Shabbat” helped her to be more present, more creative, and more free. In this episode of Well Said, Tiffany talks to co-host Shivani Persad about the incredible benefits of unplugging one day a week, like distraction-free engagement with loved ones and rediscovering passions.
February 10, 2021
23 min
Arianna Huffington on the Importance of Sleep
After learning the hard way why sleep and rest are so important. Huffington Post co-founder Arianna Huffington pivoted her whole career to champion it. She’s spent years researching the benefits of sleep and shares the highlights from her book, ‘The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time’ with us. From the steps to a proper transition to bed, to understanding the micro-steps throughout the day that set up success, Huffington shares the keys to a good night’s rest.
February 3, 2021
30 min
Dr. Sanjay Gupta on Brain Health
What we can do to protect our brains from cognitive decline? Neurosurgeon and CNN medical reporter Dr. Sanjay Gupta knows how to keep our brains sharp. Maintaining brain health may seem like an overwhelming task, but he explains it is really all about simple lifestyle changes, starting early. In this episode Gupta unpacks how healthy habits like eating well, quality sleep, physical movement, social connection, and trying new things all help to maintain cognitive function at any age. Listen in to explore how to keep your brain young, healthy, and sharp.
January 27, 2021
23 min
Introducing Well Said
Want to sleep better? Cultivate calm? Live more sustainably? Well Said connects you to experts, authors, and thought-leaders on the art and science of living well. Upcoming episodes include Dr. Sanjay Gupta on Brain Health, Jay Shetty on Everyday Mindfulness, Arianna Huffington on the Importance of Sleep, and Rupi Kaur on Using Your Voice. Hosted by Indigo Chief Booklover Heather Reisman and journalist Shivani Persad, each episode invites you into meaningful conversations about well-being and offers takeaways for every day. Listen, learn, live well.
January 22, 2021
2 min

Well Said

About this podcast

Categories

About this podcast

Categories

Well Said

Episodes

Fareed Zakaria on Post-Pandemic Life

Rebecca Carroll on The White Gaze

Mark Bittman on the Impact of Food

Adam Grant on the Power of an Open Mind

Elizabeth Kolbert on Climate Change

Rupi Kaur on Finding Your Voice

Jay Shetty on Mindfulness

Robert Jones Jr. on Writing with Purpose

Tiffany Shlain on Unplugging

Arianna Huffington on the Importance of Sleep

Dr. Sanjay Gupta on Brain Health

Introducing Well Said