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!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My 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.

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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!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If 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. Chris

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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!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.