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Laugh Lines with Kim & Penn Holderness
Finding Joy Anyway with Kate Bowler
Season 10, Ep. 12
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There are some conversations that feel like a warm hug. They make you laugh, feel safe, and a little like you want to cry. Today's show is all of the above. This week on Laugh Lines, we sit down with New York Times bestselling author, podcast host, and Duke University professor, Kate Bowler. (And I’m just going to say it... I would like to formally submit my application to be her best friend.) Kate’s new book, Joyful Anyway, asks a question that stopped me in my tracks: What if joy isn’t something we earn… but something that finds us? Even in the middle of the messy, complicated parts of life?
Penn and I talk to Kate about “the ache”, the difference between happiness and joy, and why sometimes the most inappropriate and grief-stricken moments are the ones where laughter sneaks in anyway. Happiness can feel like something we’re supposed to chase, optimize, and maybe even buy. But joy? Joy is a surprise. It’s that fleeting, soul-expanding moment where, somehow, everything feels okay, even when it’s not. Kate also shares how her stage IV cancer diagnosis changed the way she sees everything. How it stripped life down to what actually matters, and how, somehow, even in hospital rooms and heartbreak, joy still found a way in.
If you’ve been feeling "the ache" lately and need some joy in your life, this insightful and funny conversation will meet you right where you are. (Oh, and Penn wants you to know he still doesn't like Duke basketball... you'll have to listen to the show for more.) We love to hear from you! Leave us a message at 323-364-3929 or write the show at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com. You can also watch our podcast on YouTube.
Learn more about Kate and her book!
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Laugh Lines with Kim & Penn Holderness is an evolution of The Holderness Family Podcast, which began in 2018. Kim and Penn Holderness are award-winning online content creators known for their original music, song parodies, comedy sketches, and weekly podcasts. Their videos have resulted in over three billion views and over nine million followers since 2013. Penn and Kim are also authors of the New York Times Bestselling Books, ADHD Is Awesome: A Guide To (Mostly) Thriving With ADHD and All You Can Be With ADHD. They were also winners on The Amazing Race (Season 33) on CBS.
Laugh Lines is hosted and executive produced by Kim Holderness and Penn Holderness, with original music by Penn Holderness. Laugh Lines is also written and produced by Ann Marie Taepke, and edited and produced by Sam Allen. It is hosted by Acast. Thanks for listening!
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18. Let’s Do Medium Maycember with Rachel Feintzeig
45:13||Season 10, Ep. 18If your family calendar currently looks like a game of Tetris designed by a sleep-deprived raccoon… welcome to Maycember. It's called Maycember because it's busy like December without any of the fun twinkle lights. But here’s a little secret: Penn and I are almost out of Maycember… and it’s kind of amazing.We talk about what it’s like to finally reach the other side of the chaos and why, for those of you currently crying in a school parking lot while hot-gluing a costume together, there really is a light at the end of the tunnel. Penn and I also talk with award-winning journalist Rachel Feintzeig, whose New York Times essay about “considering underachieving” made parents everywhere feel deeply seen. Should we all be shooting for a Medium Maycember? We say yes.We introduce our GPA scale (General Parental Anxiety) and rank Maycember activities from “totally manageable” to “absolutely not” - and somehow we end the episode talking about a Beastie Boys parody song about charging cords. As one does. If you’re deep in Maycember right now — hang in there... one day you will have a chill May. We promise. We love to hear from you! Leave us a message at 323-364-3929 or write the show at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com. You can also watch our podcast on YouTube.Learn more about Rachel FeintzeigRead Rachel's article about UnderachievingVisit Our ShopJoin Our NewsletterFind us on SubstackFollow us on InstagramFollow us on TikTokFollow us on FacebookLaugh Lines with Kim & Penn Holderness is an evolution of The Holderness Family Podcast, which began in 2018. Kim and Penn Holderness are award-winning online content creators known for their original music, song parodies, comedy sketches, and weekly podcasts. Their videos have resulted in over three billion views and over nine million followers since 2013. Penn and Kim are also authors of the New York Times Bestselling Books, ADHD Is Awesome: A Guide To (Mostly) Thriving With ADHD and All You Can Be With ADHD. They were also winners on The Amazing Race (Season 33) on CBS. Laugh Lines is hosted and executive produced by Kim Holderness and Penn Holderness, with original music by Penn Holderness. Laugh Lines is also written and produced by Ann Marie Taepke, and edited and produced by Sam Allen. It is hosted by Acast. Thanks for listening!
17. Kicking Alzheimer's Butt & Your Questions with Dr. Richard Isaacson
57:22||Season 10, Ep. 17If you’ve been following along, you know Penn recently found out he has two copies of the APOE4 gene - basically the “high risk” genetic lottery for Alzheimer’s. And while we thought we were prepared for that news… we weren’t. It hit hard. For both of us. But this episode is not about fear. It’s about hope.This week we are sitting down (again!) with Dr. Richard Isaacson (the brain behind Penn’s prevention plan and one of the leading voices in Alzheimer’s prevention) to answer YOUR questions. And wow, did you have questions. We discuss what to actually ask your doctor, what Penn is doing right now, prevention strategies that are showing promise, and how close we are to affordable, at-home Alzheimer’s risk testing. Spoiler: closer than you’d expect. But the biggest thing we discuss? Why genes are not your destiny.We also get very real about the emotional side of this, like what it’s like to love someone who might face this disease, what caregiving actually looks like, and why doing something now matters so much. If you or someone you love has concerns about Alzheimer's, this show is for you. Because for the first time, this doesn’t feel like a ticking time bomb. It feels like something we can actually fight. We love to hear from you! Leave us a message at 323-364-3929 or write the show at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com. You can also watch our podcast on YouTube.Learn more about Alzlabs testingGet free prevention support with Retain Your BrainLearn more about Dr. Richard IsaacsonVisit Our ShopJoin Our NewsletterFind us on SubstackFollow us on InstagramFollow us on TikTokFollow us on FacebookLaugh Lines with Kim & Penn Holderness is an evolution of The Holderness Family Podcast, which began in 2018. Kim and Penn Holderness are award-winning online content creators known for their original music, song parodies, comedy sketches, and weekly podcasts. Their videos have resulted in over three billion views and over nine million followers since 2013. Penn and Kim are also authors of the New York Times Bestselling Books, ADHD Is Awesome: A Guide To (Mostly) Thriving With ADHD and All You Can Be With ADHD. They were also winners on The Amazing Race (Season 33) on CBS. Laugh Lines is hosted and executive produced by Kim Holderness and Penn Holderness, with original music by Penn Holderness. Laugh Lines is also written and produced by Ann Marie Taepke, and edited and produced by Sam Allen. It is hosted by Acast. Thanks for listening!
16. Being A Good Human & Birth Vibes with Jen Hamilton
44:58||Season 10, Ep. 16If there were ever a masterclass in being a good human… this is it. In this episode, Penn and I sit down with Jen Hamilton and y’all… She is exactly who you hope she is. Warm, hilarious, wildly honest, and the kind of person who makes you want to be better just by being in the same room. We talk about her new book Birth Vibes and cover what really happens in a delivery room. Jen has a gift of making the most awkward, messy, human moments feel normal, safe, and… dare we say, funny.But what makes Jen extraordinary isn’t just what she knows—it’s how she shows up. From supporting families in their most vulnerable moments to turning compassion into action through her nonprofit work, she reminds us that kindness is something we do. (Like turning internet negativity into real-world good by raising money, helping strangers, and building communities that show up for each other.) We also play “Did Jen Swaddle It” and discuss what’s on our minds right now… like missing the chaos of Maycember.We hope this episode makes you laugh and inspires you to be a better human like it did for us. We love to hear from you! Leave us a message at 323-364-3929 or write the show at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com. You can also watch our podcast on YouTube.Learn more about Jen HamiltonGet the book, Birth VibesLearn more about The Seeing EyeVisit Our ShopJoin Our NewsletterFind us on SubstackFollow us on InstagramFollow us on TikTokFollow us on FacebookLaugh Lines with Kim & Penn Holderness is an evolution of The Holderness Family Podcast, which began in 2018. Kim and Penn Holderness are award-winning online content creators known for their original music, song parodies, comedy sketches, and weekly podcasts. Their videos have resulted in over three billion views and over nine million followers since 2013. Penn and Kim are also authors of the New York Times Bestselling Books, ADHD Is Awesome: A Guide To (Mostly) Thriving With ADHD and All You Can Be With ADHD. They were also winners on The Amazing Race (Season 33) on CBS. Laugh Lines is hosted and executive produced by Kim Holderness and Penn Holderness, with original music by Penn Holderness. Laugh Lines is also written and produced by Ann Marie Taepke, and edited and produced by Sam Allen. It is hosted by Acast. Thanks for listening!
15. We Sang What?! 90s Music, ADHD Identity, & Space Cadet
47:24||Season 10, Ep. 15I have a confession: I spent most of the 90s singing along to songs without having any idea what they were actually about. So this week on Laugh Lines, we go down a full nostalgia rabbit hole: CD booklets, radio station shoutouts, and the absolute shock of realizing some of our favorite 90s “bops” were not exactly PG. (How did we miss that?!)We take some calls from the Laugh Line. I share more about my ADHD diagnosis and how it’s shifted the way I understand my brain and my emotions. And then (because we are who we are) we head to space. Penn and Sam bring their “Space Cadet” dreams to life with a mini episode all about the Artemis mission, the humanity of astronauts, and why looking back at Earth from the moon might be exactly the perspective we all need right now.Basically… it’s a journey. And we’re really glad you’re on it with us. We love to hear from you! Leave us a message at 323-364-3929 or write the show at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com. You can also watch our podcast on YouTube.Visit Our ShopJoin Our NewsletterFind us on SubstackFollow us on InstagramFollow us on TikTokFollow us on FacebookLaugh Lines with Kim & Penn Holderness is an evolution of The Holderness Family Podcast, which began in 2018. Kim and Penn Holderness are award-winning online content creators known for their original music, song parodies, comedy sketches, and weekly podcasts. Their videos have resulted in over three billion views and over nine million followers since 2013. Penn and Kim are also authors of the New York Times Bestselling Books, ADHD Is Awesome: A Guide To (Mostly) Thriving With ADHD and All You Can Be With ADHD. They were also winners on The Amazing Race (Season 33) on CBS. Laugh Lines is hosted and executive produced by Kim Holderness and Penn Holderness, with original music by Penn Holderness. Laugh Lines is also written and produced by Ann Marie Taepke, and edited and produced by Sam Allen. It is hosted by Acast. Thanks for listening!
14. Life On The Spectrum with Tanner Smith
35:37||Season 10, Ep. 14This episode of Laugh Lines stayed with me in the best way. This week, Penn and I sit down with Tanner Smith from Love on the Spectrum, and what starts as an interview quickly turns into something so much more meaningful. Tanner shares what it’s like to live on the autism spectrum in a way that’s honest, empowering, and incredibly hopeful. He reminds us that autism looks different for everyone. It can mean learning differently, needing more time, having deep passions, and even living a full, joyful life.We talk about purpose, routines, and the importance of patience for parents and for ourselves. And in a twist we didn’t see coming, Tanner interviews us! He has worked very hard on his conversation skills and it shows. (Seriously, get this guy a podcast!) We also hear from his sister, Midge Smith, about the work she’s doing with Wable—an app helping the neurodivergent community find friendship, employment, and connection.This episode is a reminder that joy isn’t complicated. It’s gratitude. It’s connection. It’s choosing to see the good, even when life isn’t perfect. (And if you’re having a hard day? Tanner’s got you.) We love to hear from you! Leave us a message at 323-364-3929 or write the show at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com. You can also watch our podcast on YouTube.Learn more about Tanner SmithLearn more about the Wable AppLearn more about 321 CoffeeVisit Our ShopJoin Our NewsletterFind us on SubstackFollow us on InstagramFollow us on TikTokFollow us on FacebookLaugh Lines with Kim & Penn Holderness is an evolution of The Holderness Family Podcast, which began in 2018. Kim and Penn Holderness are award-winning online content creators known for their original music, song parodies, comedy sketches, and weekly podcasts. Their videos have resulted in over three billion views and over nine million followers since 2013. Penn and Kim are also authors of the New York Times Bestselling Books, ADHD Is Awesome: A Guide To (Mostly) Thriving With ADHD and All You Can Be With ADHD. They were also winners on The Amazing Race (Season 33) on CBS. Laugh Lines is hosted and executive produced by Kim Holderness and Penn Holderness, with original music by Penn Holderness. Laugh Lines is also written and produced by Ann Marie Taepke, and edited and produced by Sam Allen. It is hosted by Acast. Thanks for listening!
13. ADHD, Alzheimer’s & Life Lately
43:32||Season 10, Ep. 13This week, Penn and I share some real-life updates from our house. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD at 50, which turns out… there were signs. I’m learning what that actually means for my brain, my emotions, and honestly, my entire life up to this point. (Something called “doom piles” should have honestly exposed my ADHD years ago.)Penn also shares an update on his journey to protect his brain health from Alzheimer’s. We talk about what he’s trying, what we’re learning, and how we’re thinking about the future. He has two copies of the APOE4 gene and has watched both of his parents succumb to the disease. To be clear, I would do witchcraft if it meant he will remember my name when we’re both in the retirement home. We bring back What Gen Zers Are Saying, Penn Compliments Men (shout out to Dan!), and a very relatable story on the Laugh Line about a deer, a college kid, and a callback. Thanks for laughing along with us. We love to hear from you! Leave us a message at 323-364-3929 or write the show at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com. You can also watch our podcast on YouTube.Learn more about our new kids book!Hear Dan’s viral song parody!Visit Our ShopJoin Our NewsletterFind us on SubstackFollow us on InstagramFollow us on TikTokFollow us on FacebookLaugh Lines with Kim & Penn Holderness is an evolution of The Holderness Family Podcast, which began in 2018. Kim and Penn Holderness are award-winning online content creators known for their original music, song parodies, comedy sketches, and weekly podcasts. Their videos have resulted in over three billion views and over nine million followers since 2013. Penn and Kim are also authors of the New York Times Bestselling Books, ADHD Is Awesome: A Guide To (Mostly) Thriving With ADHD and All You Can Be With ADHD. They were also winners on The Amazing Race (Season 33) on CBS. Laugh Lines is hosted and executive produced by Kim Holderness and Penn Holderness, with original music by Penn Holderness. Laugh Lines is also written and produced by Ann Marie Taepke, and edited and produced by Sam Allen. It is hosted by Acast. Thanks for listening!
11. Is This 50? (Happy Birthday, Kim!)
40:44||Season 10, Ep. 11My favorite human is turning 50! If you know my wife, Kim, you know she is very self-deprecating and adorable about getting older. Kim thought 50 might feel like a big, Oprah-level moment. (Like angels singing... all-knowing wisdom... maybe a sudden ability to fold a fitted sheet.) Instead, it’s been a mix of gratitude, a little existential panic, and a lot of honest questions like:Is this what 50 is supposed to feel like?In this episode, we look back at what Kim thought 50 would be (Golden Girls, water aerobics, financial literacy… none of which fully happened) and our team surprises her with messages from some incredibly wise humans who have already crossed into their 50s and beyond. Plus, it's the finale of Kim’s “Road to 50” goals where she shares what she got accomplished.Thank you for writing to us about what you still don’t know at 50 (turns out… a lot of us are just winging it), and apologies for talking about my bidet for longer than necessary. Happy Birthday, Kim! We love to hear from you! Leave us a message at 323-364-3929 or write the show at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com. You can also watch our podcast on YouTube.Visit Our ShopJoin Our NewsletterFind us on SubstackFollow us on InstagramFollow us on TikTok Follow us on FacebookLaugh Lines with Kim & Penn Holderness is an evolution of The Holderness Family Podcast, which began in 2018. Kim and Penn Holderness are award-winning online content creators known for their original music, song parodies, comedy sketches, and weekly podcasts. Their videos have resulted in over three billion views and over nine million followers since 2013. Penn and Kim are also authors of the New York Times Bestselling Books, ADHD Is Awesome: A Guide To (Mostly) Thriving With ADHD and All You Can Be With ADHD. They were also winners on The Amazing Race (Season 33) on CBS. Laugh Lines is hosted and executive produced by Kim Holderness and Penn Holderness, with original music by Penn Holderness. Laugh Lines is also written and produced by Ann Marie Taepke, and edited and produced by Sam Allen. It is hosted by Acast. Thanks for listening!
10. Make Sleep Suck Less with Dr. Chris Allen
52:38||Season 10, Ep. 10If you’re celebrating the rare night when you don’t have to get up to go to the bathroom… welcome. You are among friends. Sleep is one of my favorite topics. Penn and I often joke that I don't have FOMO (Fear of missing out) I have FOMS (Fear of missing sleep). As much as I love sleep, I also struggle with it. So this week, we invited Dr. Christopher J. Allen (also known as "Sleep Dr. Chris") to help us figure out why sleep gets harder as we age and what we can actually do about it.In this episode we talk about why our sleep changes in midlife, sleep hacks floating around TikTok, how ADHD may impact your sleep, and something many people overlook: Sleep Apnea. Dr. Chris explains how it can affect women, teens, and even kids and why untreated sleep apnea can leave you exhausted no matter how long you’re "sleeping" for.We definitely walked away with some new ideas on how to help my sleep routine... because as you'll hear on the show being in bed is for three things only and they all start with "S" - Sleep, Sick, and... SANDWICHES! We hope this episode helps you have sweet dreams or at least it helps your sleep sucks a little less. We love to hear from you! Leave us a message at 323-364-3929 or write the show at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com. You can also watch our podcast on YouTube.Learn more about Sleep Dr. ChrisVisit Our ShopJoin Our NewsletterFind us on SubstackFollow us on InstagramFollow us on TikTok Follow us on FacebookLaugh Lines with Kim & Penn Holderness is an evolution of The Holderness Family Podcast, which began in 2018. Kim and Penn Holderness are award-winning online content creators known for their original music, song parodies, comedy sketches, and weekly podcasts. Their videos have resulted in over three billion views and over nine million followers since 2013. Penn and Kim are also authors of the New York Times Bestselling Books, ADHD Is Awesome: A Guide To (Mostly) Thriving With ADHD and All You Can Be With ADHD. They were also winners on The Amazing Race (Season 33) on CBS. Laugh Lines is hosted and executive produced by Kim Holderness and Penn Holderness, with original music by Penn Holderness. Laugh Lines is also written and produced by Ann Marie Taepke, and edited and produced by Sam Allen. It is hosted by Acast. Thanks for listening!