Tracee Ellis Ross: Holding On to Joy In Hard Times

Tracee Ellis Ross: Holding On to Joy In Hard Times

Author: Treat Media and Glennon Doyle March 17, 2026 Duration: 1:06:45
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: 100

We Can Do Hard Things
Podcast Episodes
HELP: How to Ask for the Help You Need (Best Of) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:04
1. Why sharing your messy middle with someone is a gift and connection builder, not a burden. 2. The reasons why we don’t ask for the help we desperately need. 3. “Vague favs” and why are they a hard No for Amanda. 4. Ab…
How to Stay Human with Suleika Jaouad [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:11
419. How to Stay Human with Suleika Jaouad Artist and New York Times bestselling author, Suleika Jaouad, returns to discuss the importance of creative processes for staying human. -The surprising ways attachment theory s…
What’s Your FAMILY DRAMA Style? with Nedra Glover Tawwab (Best Of) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:14
We all want tools to navigate (and minimize!) family drama. Today, Nedra Glover Tawwab teaches us how we can create drama free families: How to speak up for yourself when it feels like going against the group; Why confro…
How to Get More Joy with Martha Beck (Best Of) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:12
1. Why it’s important to prioritize our own needs, wants, and feelings–and how that creates freedom and peace for those we love. 2. What Glennon says was the hardest thing about telling her kids that Craig and she were g…
Living with Bipolar Disorder: Cameron Esposito [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:49
424. Living with Bipolar Disorder: Cameron Esposito Stand-up comedian, actor, writer and friend, Cameron Esposito joins us for a conversation about being diagnosed and living with bipolar disorder. -Cameron takes us insi…
The Best Advice We’ve Ever Received (Best Of) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:27
The Best Advice We’ve Ever Received Today, Glennon, Abby, and Amanda remember – and share! – the best advice they’ve ever received: How to honor your needs and become the ultimate expert of you; Why we all need a friend…
How to Find DELIGHT Today (and Every Day) with Ross Gay (Best Of) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:11
Ross Gay teaches us how to notice delight and joy in our everyday lives. We discuss: concrete ways to rediscover and capture joy every day; how to rebuild your “delight muscle”; how to dissolve the myth of disconnection…

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