(BEST OF) Tracee Ellis Ross: Holding On to Joy In Hard Times

(BEST OF) Tracee Ellis Ross: Holding On to Joy In Hard Times

Author: Treat Media and Glennon Doyle March 17, 2026 Duration: 1:02:35
In this deeply moving — and one of our all-time favorite — conversations, we take a beautiful, funny, honest dive inside the “wonderful, dangerous” mind of Tracee Ellis Ross. As the world asks us to stay engaged without burning out, Tracee offers a powerful model for how to show up fully without losing yourself. This conversation is about love — not just romantic love, but the kind that changes everything: choosing yourself, holding fast to joy, building deep connection, and being in charge of your own life. Tracee reflects on approaching 50 and what it means to step into a new decade rooted in freedom, depth, and aliveness — not hustle. She shares the unforgettable story of her 50th birthday, standing in her mother’s dress, surrounded by her cauldron people, and singing, “I’m 50 and I’m free.” A true lighthouse moment for all of us learning how to stay whole while we show up. -Tracee’s go-to tools for quieting self-doubt and staying tethered to her truest self-How she made peace with not being everyone’s cup of tea-The story behind becoming “Fifty and Free” in her mother’s dress-Why she rejected the lie that women exist to be chosen-How to find your cauldron people — the ones who hold your fire About Tracee: Tracee Ellis Ross is an award-winning actress and producer best known for her roles in ABC’s award-winning comedy series BLACK-ISH and GIRLFRIENDS. For her role as “Rainbow Johnson” in BLACK-ISH, as a comedic leading actress, Ross won the Golden Globe Award in 2017 as well as nine NAACP Image Awards. She was nominated for five Emmys and two Critics Choice Awards.  Ross is the CEO and Founder of Pattern, a haircare brand for the curly, coily and tight textured masses.  Ross executive produced and narrates Hulu’s THE HAIR TALES, a docuseries about Black women, beauty and identity through the distinctive lens of Black hair.  Ross will be producing a ten-episode podcast “I Am America,” which aims to break through the noise during this divided time in our country in an effort to create space and to heal.  Follow We Can Do Hard Things on:  Instagram — ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wecandohardthings⁠ TikTok — ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wecandohardthingsshow⁠

Life is rarely simple, and the conversations on We Can Do Hard Things reflect that beautiful, messy reality. Hosted by Glennon Doyle, her wife Abby Wambach, and her sister Amanda Doyle, this podcast creates a space where the difficult, tender, and triumphant parts of being human are examined without flinching. The dynamic between the three hosts-their laughter, debates, and shared vulnerability-turns each episode into a genuine conversation you’re invited to overhear. They tackle topics spanning relationships, societal expectations, personal growth, and the quiet struggles often faced alone, all with a blend of raw honesty and unexpected humor. This isn’t about abstract advice; it’s about real people navigating real life, which is why the community around this podcast, known as the Pod Squad, has become such a powerful force for connection and tangible change. The title is a mantra put into practice, a reminder that strength isn’t about avoiding hardship but about moving through it together. Tuning in feels like joining a candid kitchen-table talk where pretense is left at the door. You’ll find a unique mix of comfort and challenge in every episode, a combination that has resonated deeply, leading to an incredible collective impact far beyond the audio itself. For anyone looking for a thoughtful, unvarnished, and compassionate take on modern life, this podcast offers a refreshing perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

We Can Do Hard Things
Podcast Episodes
(BEST OF) Hannah Gadsby: Neurodiverence & The Exfoliation of Shame [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:20
What if the key to understanding each other isn’t getting better at talking—but getting better at recognizing how differently our brains work? The brilliant and hilarious Hannah Gadsby joins us to talk about neurodiverge…
(BEST OF) Gloria, Gloria Hallelujah: Gloria Steinem on How to Lead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:58
Today, we remember Gloria Steinem—a woman who spent her life reminding us that we are not broken, just born into systems designed to break us. She taught us how to stay whole anyway, how to tell the truth, get free, find…
(BEST OF) The Surprising Science of Heartbreak | Florence Williams [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:23
Heartbreak isn't just happening in your mind—it's happening in your body. In this Best Of conversation, science journalist Florence Williams joins us to discuss what heartbreak does to our brains, bodies, and nervous sys…
(BEST OF) If Your Mind Won't Be Quiet, Listen to This [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:24
If you've been living inside your head lately, this conversation is for you. Glennon, Abby, and Amanda talk about the exhausting mental chatter that keeps so many of us anxious, overwhelmed, and disconnected from our liv…
(BEST OF) Dolly Parton: Thank You for Everything [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:21
Today, we remember the one and only Dolly Parton. Dolly gave the world so much: her music, her humor, her generosity, her courage, and her unwavering commitment to being exactly who she was—and letting everyone else be e…
Sara Bareilles: The Magic of Grief [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:55
Good Grief, the album, is out everywhere this Friday, and the documentary comes to theaters nationwide September 2! Our dear friend Sara Bareilles joins us to talk about Good Grief—her deeply personal new album and docum…
Who Invented Gender? Amanda with ALOK [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:11
Who invented gender? Who decided the rules, wrote the script, and convinced us it was all just…nature? Amanda traces the wild history of how gender became a system we call “natural,” “biological,” and “just the way it is…
(BEST OF) The Financial Advice We Never Get | Tori Dunlap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:43
So many of us are carrying the weight of uncertainty—about our families, our futures, our work, and our communities. Underneath all of that is something we don't talk about nearly enough: money. Financial educator Tori D…