In our final episode of the Shook By A Book series, Kelly talks with actor, writer and celebrated creative mind, Anna Deavere Smith about two texts that have stayed with her over the years: Letter From A Birmingham Jail by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dibs in Search of Self: The Renowned, Deeply Moving Story of an Emotionally Lost Child Who Found His Way Back by Virginia M. Axline.

…. Anna breaks down why these two very different texts have been so affecting for her and how they inform her work.

Special thanks to The Teagle Foundation for their generous support of this series. 

Check out Anna performing Letter From a Birmingham Jail at the historic Stanford Memorial Church in 2015.

You can also watch Kelly's Tell Me More interview with Anna at pbs.org/kelly.

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A short but powerful story by Susie DeCarlo about her mother but also about herself. Often, the way our parents see us is the way we come to see ourselves and Susie’s mom saw her in the very best way: strong, unbreakable, thriving. (Previously aired)

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In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Kelly shares her reaction to the pink ribbon while she was in chemo and how it changed the following year. 

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What book shook you to your core? That’s the question we’re asking some of our favorite American thinkers. This week we’re talking to Dr. Eddie Glaude, Jr., a Princeton professor, columnist for TIME and frequent TV commentator. Eddie was transformed by WEB Du Bois’ The Souls of Black Folk and its core ideas of Noble Consciousness and The Veil. He details how the book impacted him at various stages of his life in this surprisingly personal and moving interview.

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Lily Janas, now a student at Bowdoin College, wrote this stirring college admissions essay called “We Rise”. She sets the scene at 2am and goes on to describe one of the most impactful experiences of her young life. The story unfolds slowly, and Lily gives clues along the way but never fully reveals what she’s a part of - until the very end. (Previously aired)

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In honor of the late Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Kelly shares some borrowed wisdom from her final book: The Joy of Connections: 100 Ways to Beat Loneliness and Live a Happier and More Meaningful Life.

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Our 5-part "Shook By A Book" series continues today with US Congresswoman Katie Porter. (You might have seen her on TV; she's famous for pulling out whiteboards in hearings to make things simple and visual for the public.) She grew up a 4H kid in Iowa who ended up at boarding school in Massachusetts. In her first month on campus, she was assigned F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby which has helped frame her thinking ever since. Katie's take on class, insecurity and fairness is well worth a listen.Special thanks to The Teagle Foundation for their generous support of this series. 

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This week's Thanks for Being Here features a letter from singer/songwriter Lisa Redfern to her unborn child, reflecting on her 12-year journey of trying to become a mother, her eventual acceptance of a different path, and finding love. Lisa shares her 2013 letter in full, detailing her dreams, heartbreaks, and how she found healing through becoming a stepmom to two boys.Links to the two songs referenced by Lisa:Waiting for You c. lisa redfern ASCAPhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vyLyUtzeoELive Through the Questions c. lisa redfern ASCAPhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy-hs9HWkuoLisa's website to learn more about her and check out her music:  www.lisaredfern.com

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In this special Go To, Kelly and Christy Turlington Burns sit down with Melinda French Gates to talk about the woman who raised her, Elaine, who taught her to set her own agenda and find a moment every day to really connect with the people who matter most.Our About Your Mother series raises funds to support safe and respectful pregnancy, delivery and postpartum care in 9 countries through Every Mother Counts, founded in 2010 and led every day since by Christy Turlington Burns. Please join us with a donation here. Maternal health is a human right.With special thanks to Tracy and David at Laughing Man Studios in Tribeca who support this series with pro bono studio time and superb coffee.Got feedback? Have an idea? We love to hear from listeners. Write us anytime — [email protected] - or sign up for our weekly list of takeaways here.Check out Kelly's Tell Me More episode featuring Melinda French Gates.Past episodes from the About Your Mother series:Jennifer GarnerAmy SchumerBonoCindy Crawford Spike LeeEdward Burns

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In the second episode of our "Shook by a Book" series, Kelly connects with Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and bestselling author Charles Duhigg about a century-old book assigned to him in college which influenced his thinking and life choices.  Charles is the author of Supercommunicators, and The Power of Habit.  (He and Kelly actually share the same editor at Random House.)  This book Charlie picked, William James's The Varieties of Religious Experience, gets at the psychological need for religion, the power of choice and how context influences our behavior.  It also serves as a springboard for Kelly and Charlie to go deep on their careers, families and life decisions.Special thanks to The Teagle Foundation for their generous support of this series. This episode was recorded at the Aspen Ideas Festival. 

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Sherri Coale wrote a deeply-felt “you got this” letter to her son Colton in the days before his wedding. She was certain that if she tried to say all of the important things she wanted him to know, “nonsensical drivel wrapped in tears, would land in his lap”. So, she sat down and wrote him this loving, sage advice-filled letter. This is a great GOTO to share with any young couple you may know…and maybe even your partner. (Previously aired)

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