Verily Table

In this interview, Mari Andrew recounts her journey to where she is today as a beloved author and illustrator with two bestselling books and one million followers on Instagram. But more interesting than her creative and professional success was her discussion of leaning into dark feelings instead of avoiding them—and how our vast range of emotions, including those we’d prefer not to experience, is what makes us truly human.

The United States feels more divided than ever before—certainly than in recent memory. But Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone, and Shaylyn Romney Garrett, founding contributor of Weave: The Social Fabric Project, are looking into the past for solutions. As co-authors of The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again, they explain that the U.S. has, in fact, been here before—and perhaps we should take cues from histoy for how to restore our sense of community and common good. We found their analysis not only fascinating, but hopeful.

In this short, digestible podcast episode, cognitive-behavioral psychiatrist Dr. Kevin Majeres explains the concept of a “Golden Hour,” a tool that can help us work more intentionally, with greater focus and clarity, and in accord with our highest ideals. He walks through the framework for the Golden Hour concept, a process that involves three key steps: reframing the way we think about our work tasks, channeling mindfulness in the way we approach them, and challenging ourselves to view them as opportunities rather than dreaded items to check off a to-do list. (Sound familiar? We covered this topic inVerily Work.)

Sometimes, we say goodbye by choice, and the farewell opens the door to a bright and exciting future. Other goodbyes are thrust upon us, causing grief and uncertainty. Others are somewhere in between: bittersweet. May this playlist accompany you through whatever goodbyes you’re facing in this season of life.