What Matters with Jenny Mollen: Connection, Humor & Grit

What Matters with Jenny Mollen: Connection, Humor & Grit

“I want to know people because I also want to be known by them. I want to have that connection.” ~ Jenny Mollen She’s been called an actress, a New York Times bestselling author, and an influencer, but at the heart of Jenny Mollen’s multi-hyphenate career is storytelling driven by curiosity, humor, and connection.  On What Matters with Liz, Jenny reflects on the importance of listening, valuing other people’s stories, and sharing your truth. She explains how writing helps her process emotion and make sense of the world. Fearless, forthright, and unfiltered, Jenny talks about life in the public eye, her social media regrets, and why Instagram is “the ultimate narcissist.” She gets real about her marriage to Jason Biggs and how feeling like “the American Pie spare” was both frustrating and strangely freeing. She explains why she and Jason decided to protect their children’s privacy and not share their faces and why she hopes to delay giving her sons cell phones until they’re sixteen.  Jenny also shares how dyslexia, rejection, and years of hearing “no” built her resilience and drive. She explains that every hero’s journey starts with hardship and her happy fairytale ending is for her sons to see that no matter what life throws at their mother, she’ll keep moving forward, rewrite the story and become her own hero. “I want my kids to see that you can't keep this bitch down – she is just gonna keep going. And I want them to always keep going,” says Jenny. “I want them to have grit. I am desperate for them to have the grit.”  In this episode, Jenny opens up about: * Finding her voice in oversharing and turning the chaos of life into comedy  * The anxiety of public life and why she calls Instagram “the ultimate narcissist” * Marriage, fame, and the decision to share Jason Bigg’s infamous “American Pie” scene with their 12-year-old son * Her scariest moment as a mother * Her biggest social media regret * How writing helps her understand herself and other people * Why “Do it for the plot” became her life philosophy * The art of listening, building connection, and community * Why she’d still write even if the audience disappeared * Celebrating her 40th birthday with a Bat Mitzvah ceremony in Israel * Supporting the Kenya Education Fund and putting faith into action * How the October 7th tragedy changed her perspective * The loss of her soulmate pet * Struggling with an eating disorder * Where she finds joy during life’s darkest moments * Dyslexia, rejection and the grit she developed hearing “no” * Why failure no longer scares her * Her definition of a happy fairytale ending now “I’ve been told no so many times that no doesn’t mean anything anymore,” declares Jenny. “It’s lost its power.” Whether you’re a mom who’s tired of pretending she has it all together, a woman starting over in midlife, or simply someone who needs a good laugh, Jenny Mollen delivers. To hear more of Jenny’s stories, follow:  https://www.instagram.com/jennymollen/ [https://www.instagram.com/jennymollen/] https://jennymollenbiggs.substack.com [https://jennymollenbiggs.substack.com] Follow Woman’s World magazine at: https://www.instagram.com/womansworldmag [https://www.instagram.com/womansworldmag] Let us know what you thought of this episode in the comments.  Like and subscribe to What Matters with Liz on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart or Spotify. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

What Matters with Elizabeth Perkins: Art, Authenticity & Self-Acceptance

“Fame has never been a motivator for me. Ever.” ~ Elizabeth Perkins Actress Elizabeth Perkins has built a career bringing complex, unforgettable women to life - from her breakout role opposite Tom Hanks in Big to her Emmy-nominated turn on Weeds to her current role on the Netflix series Big Mistakes. In this episode of What Matters with Liz, she reflects on her messiest and most memorable roles, the lessons she’s learned over four decades in Hollywood (including some from Elizabeth Tayor!) and how aging has strengthened her as an actress and a woman. But this isn’t a conversation just about Hollywood. It’s about being human - the frustrating, three-years that led to being diagnosed with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) and the importance of advocating for yourself, the burnout that led to moving to a farm and the joy found in nature, the grief of an empty nest and the freedom to pursue what makes you feel alive. In this episode, Elizabeth shares: * Why she’s drawn to characters with secrets, flaws, and hidden vulnerabilities * How “faking it till you make it” helped launch her Hollywood career * What she misses about Celia Hodes - and if she thinks a Weeds reboot will happen * How a “fangirling” moment led to working with Dan Levy on Big Mistakes * What she learned from Elizabeth Taylor  * What she’s learned about aging  * Why she’s grateful to Jean Smart * What it was like working with Tom Hanks on Big * Her new series Cry Wolf with Olivia Coleman - and their surprising bonds * Her journey to being diagnosed with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) and why women must advocate for their health * Why she moved from Los Angeles to a farm * How art, yoga, meditation and nature bring her peace * How the lessons we learn about being likeable can keep us from being authentic  * Why fame and awards were never her motivation * What she loves about true crime  - especially Snapped * The importance of working with people who lead with integrity and kindness * Why self acceptance matters more to her now ever She also opens up about the liberating realization that “nobody cares”—so you might as well be yourself. Follow Elizabeth Perkins at: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethperkins/ [https://www.instagram.com/elizabethperkins/] Follow Woman’s World at: https://www.instagram.com/womansworldmag [https://www.instagram.com/womansworldmag] Thanks for subscribing to What Matters with Liz. Let us know what you thought of this episode in the comments!   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

What Matters with Prue Leith: Being Old, Staying Curious & Loving Life

“You’ll only be happy if you’re curious.” — Prue Leith After nine seasons of The Great British Baking Show (known as The Great British Bake Off in the UK), Prue Leith is stepping away from the beloved series. On this episode of What Matters with Liz, she reveals her first impression of Paul Hollywood, her favorite moments on set, and the real reason she’s leaving a TV show watched by millions. “I’m running out of time. I haven’t very many years left—certainly not decades. So things I’ve always thought, ‘I’ll do that one day,’ I better damn well do them now,” she says. At 86, Prue isn’t slowing down—she’s changing direction. The celebrated chef, writer, and restaurateur wants more: more travel, more time with family, and more freedom to create the projects she’s most passionate about. In her book Being Old and Learning to Love It, Prue explores the realities and taboos of aging, along with its unexpected joys. She opens up about grief, falling in love again, and what it means to live boldly at every stage of life. In this episode, Prue shares: * Behind-the-scenes stories from The Great British Baking Show * The real reason she’s leaving the show * Her advice to Nigella Lawson * A tour of her Cotswolds kitchen * Her biggest career failure—and the lesson it taught her * Her secret to living with energy and enthusiasm at any age * How she grieved the loss of her first husband and found love again * The question you should never ask a widow * What it’s like to fall in love in your 70s * Her advice for living boldly and joyfully * Her one regret * Why she believes the greatest sin is boredom * The places she still wants to visit * Why she loves color * How women can embrace fashion in their later years * Which of her books is her favorite—and which one could become a movie * What she’s most excited about in her next chapter With refreshing honesty, Prue reminds us that the secret to a beautiful life isn’t complicated: “Eat well, sleep well, and love well.” And those are things we can all strive for. Thanks for subscribing to What Matters with Liz. Let us know what you thought of this episode in the comments!   For recipes, books, and more from Prue, visit: https://prue-leith.com/ [https://prue-leith.com/] Follow Prue on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/prueleith/ [https://www.instagram.com/prueleith/] Follow Woman’s World at: https://www.instagram.com/womansworldmag [https://www.instagram.com/womansworldmag] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

What Matters with Amy Grant: Creativity, Stillness & The Me That Remains

• Amy Grant has six Grammy Awards, 26 Dove Awards, and a music career that spans genres and generations. But this conversation isn’t about awards and accolades. It’s about what happens when life cracks us wide open and we face unimaginable struggles. It’s about embracing stillness and looking inward for answers…and the freedom and strength that emerge. The Me That Remains is Amy’s first album in more than a decade and, in many ways, her most personal. After undergoing open-heart surgery and surviving a bicycle accident that caused a traumatic brain injury, months of slow, quiet recovery unlocked a new depth of creativity in the songwriter. On this episode of What Matters with Liz, she opens up about her challenges, how they changed her, and who she is now. As she sings on the title track, “Life cut me wide open, when my head hit the ground. Wasn’t my time for dying, guess my soul just stuck around. Out of this wreckage, I’m beginning to claim the gifts in the healing - and the me that remains.” Amy shares: • How a bike accident and traumatic brain injury (TBI) changed her life • Why slowing down and simplifying led her to write new music • Her advice to those in a season of uncertainty or rebuilding • How her limitations changed the way she writes music • Her songwriting process and why it’s all about saying “something that matters” • Why people in their 60s need music that reflects their perspective • How the Covenant School shooting in Nashville impacted her • The tender final moments of her mother’s life and how they changed how she sees death • What the hit song “El Shaddai” means to her — and how it almost didn’t make the album • Why she crossed over from Christian music to mainstream pop • How her faith has evolved • Why she embraces the mystery of faith – and why Jesus remains the one being she trusts • Which three songs in her music catalog are her favorites • How The Book of Forgiving by Desmond Tutu and Mpho Tutu led her on a path of forgiveness • Why she’s committed to Compassion International – and the story of how she reconnected with her first sponsored child • How a checkup with husband, Vince Gill, led to the discovery of her previously undiagnosed, rare congenital heart defect • The untold story of reclaiming her great-grandfather’s legacy in a six-year legal battle • How small everyday choices can have a huge impact • How you can give to others while honoring your capacity • Why “every good thing starts with gratitude” This conversation reminds us that self exploration, expression, and evolution is a lifelong journey and that discovering new versions of ourselves, while honoring who we’ve been, creates a dynamic and beautiful life. Because what matters…is what remains. For more on Amy Grant visit: https://www.amygrant.com/ https://www.instagram.com/amygrantofficial To connect with Host Liz Vaccariello and for more conversations that matter visit: https://www.youtube.com/@RealWomansWorld https://www.instagram.com/womansworldmag/ For more stories you’ll love, visit womansworld.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

What Matters with Kate Bowler: Aching, Hoping & Finding Joy Anyway

“Happiness is great, but joy is for the rest of us.” - Kate Bowler What does it mean to be joyful… anyway? Five-time New York Times bestselling author, Duke University professor, and host of the podcast Everything Happens, Kate Bowler, sits down with Liz for a conversation about joy that doesn’t ignore how hard life can be—it starts there.  At 35, with a young child and her dream job, Kate was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. Now, ten years later and in durable remission, she’s still living inside the question: How do you hold joy and grief at the same time? In her new book Joyful Anyway, Kate articulates what most of us feel but rarely admit– the ache: a subtle, persistent sense that something is missing. With the diligent curiosity of a researcher and the wry humor of a comedian, Kate dismantles the clichés of toxic positivity and examines how authentic joy finds us.  This is a conversation about what happens when you stop trying to skip to the good part and let life be messy, tell the truth instead of performing resilience, and stay open to the unexpected, technicolor moments of life. In this episode, you’ll learn: * The difference between joy and happiness * Why Joyful Anyway is a response to a life that doesn’t follow the script * How Kate’s cancer diagnosis reshaped her faith—and her relationship to certainty * Why toxic positivity can distance us from real joy * What “the ache” is—and it might be the most honest part of being human * The common obstacles that keep us from experiencing joy * Why ruthless honesty is the first step to making space for joy * How joy actually shows up (hint: it’s rarely convenient or controlled) * Why there’s no 5-step plan to joy * How a poisonous snake bite became an unexpected moment of healing for Kate * Why joy and grief aren’t opposites—they’re companions * How purpose, love, and hope can lead us back to joy Because maybe joy isn’t something you chase.   Maybe it chases you. “I thought I had to have a lucky life to have it be deeply beautiful” says Kate. “I don't believe that anymore. I think that joy is made for everyone–no matter what–and I think it will chase us down.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].