Atsuko Okatsuka is a standup comedian who was named one of the Top 10 Comics to Watch in 2022 by Variety. Her hilarious videos on social media have garnered her millions of views and her HBO special premieres on December 10th. Today she joins the pod and shares: 
What it was like living immigrating from Japan and living in a garage with her mom and grandma from age 10-17.
How an earthquake helped her rise to fame.
Why she feels the things we didn't like about ourselves as kids are really our superpowers (and how to harness them). 
Why she thinks comedy is a part of the service industry.
How she started the viral #Dropchallenge. 
Her special relationship with her grandmother (and how she got to 18,000 Twitter followers!)
Why she believes getting married is more "childlike" than being single.
Why she thinks the key to life is knowing what you're not into. 

Atsuko Okatsuka is a standup comedian who was named one of the Top 10 Comics to Watch in 2022 by Variety. Her hilarious videos on social media have garnered her millions of views and her HBO special premieres on December 10th. Today she joins the pod and shares: <ul class="ul1"> <li class="li2">What it was like living immigrating from Japan and living in a garage with her mom and grandma from age 10-17.</li> <li class="li2">How an earthquake helped her rise to fame.</li> <li class="li2">Why she feels the things we didn't like about ourselves as kids are really our superpowers (and how to harness them). </li> <li class="li2">Why she thinks comedy is a part of the service industry.</li> <li class="li2">How she started the viral #Dropchallenge. </li> <li class="li3">Her special relationship with her grandmother (and how she got to 18,000 Twitter followers!)</li> <li class="li3">Why she believes getting married is more "childlike" than being single.</li> <li class="li3">Why she thinks the key to life is knowing what you're not into. </li> </ul>

Behind every headline is a person + a deeper story. Question Everything with journalist Danielle Robay cuts through social media buzz to uncover the voices, ideas, and cultural moments that shape how we see the world. Each week, she asks bold questions that challenge assumptions and reveal the nuance behind the narratives, inviting you to look closer at the world, and at yourself. Because there's always more to the story.
——
Danielle is also the creator of the bestselling QUESTION EVERYTHING card game series, which has sparked connection and conversation in thousands of living rooms around the world. She's also the co-executive producer (alongside Reese Witherspoon) and host of Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club. With her signature curiosity—dubbed "The Queen of Questions"—and a background in political science, Danielle brings both heart and rigor to every conversation. A Gloria Steinem Fellow and mentee of Larry King, she's carried forward a legacy of curiosity and connection, interviewing icons from Taylor Swift to Malala Yousafzai in more than 8,000 hours of elevated conversation.

QUESTION EVERYTHING

Humor is a Super Power: with Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/09ddad08-d150-4ae1-9e97-b38a01500abf/transcript

On her 35th birthday, Danielle sits down with content creator Alexandra Hayes for an intimate conversation about milestones, identity, ambition, friendship, and what it really means to become yourself. Together, they unpack the emotional baggage and pressure we carry around birthdays, and the quiet ways our priorities shift as we grow. In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why birthdays bring up both celebration and pressure
Alexandra’s complicated relationship with birthdays and her mantra: “A day is just a day”
How family dynamics and early disappointments shape how we experience milestones
Danielle’s childhood birthdays, family traditions, and when birthdays started getting harder
The pattern of unmet expectations ruining birthdays
How the “one word” birthday planning framework could change your celebration 
Learning to be a better friend by becoming the kind of friend you want to have
The idea that your gift and your curse are usually the same thing
The athlete metaphor for life: prepare, perform, recover—and realizing recovery was missing
How to be more protective of time, energy, and who gets access to your life
Letting go of forcing things and trusting that what’s meant for you won’t miss you
The power of other people’s belief in you 
Looking ahead: sovereignty, self-trust, alignment, ambition without self-abandonment, and what Danielle & Alexandra are stepping into next

Keep up with Alexandra here, listen to her podcast Hello Hayes, and read her Substackhere. 

On her 35th birthday, Danielle sits down with content creator Alexandra Hayes for an intimate conversation about milestones, identity, ambition, friendship, and what it really means to become yourself. Together, they unpack the emotional baggage and pressure we carry around birthdays, and the quiet ways our priorities shift as we grow. In this episode, you&rsquo;ll learn:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why birthdays bring up both celebration and pressure</li>
<li aria-level="1">Alexandra&rsquo;s complicated relationship with birthdays and her mantra: &ldquo;A day is just a day&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">How family dynamics and early disappointments shape how we experience milestones</li>
<li aria-level="1">Danielle&rsquo;s childhood birthdays, family traditions, and when birthdays started getting harder</li>
<li aria-level="1">The pattern of unmet expectations ruining birthdays</li>
<li aria-level="1">How the &ldquo;one word&rdquo; birthday planning framework could change your celebration&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Learning to be a better friend by becoming the kind of friend you want to have</li>
<li aria-level="1">The idea that your gift and your curse are usually the same thing</li>
<li aria-level="1">The athlete metaphor for life: prepare, perform, recover&mdash;and realizing recovery was missing</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to be more protective of time, energy, and who gets access to your life</li>
<li aria-level="1">Letting go of forcing things and trusting that what&rsquo;s meant for you won&rsquo;t miss you</li>
<li aria-level="1">The power of other people&rsquo;s belief in you&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Looking ahead: sovereignty, self-trust, alignment, ambition without self-abandonment, and what Danielle &amp; Alexandra are stepping into next</li>
</ul>
Keep up with Alexandra <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alexandrahayesrobinson/?hl=en">here</a>, listen to her podcast <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3ASu2iCJp9WB2FnbwGNRpi?si=AOnNakfASFafTploG7AVOw&amp;utm_source=ig&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_content=link_in_bio&amp;nd=1&amp;dlsi=22aaadb88c464012">Hello Hayes</a>, and read her Substack <a href="https://substack.com/@alexandrahayesrobinson?r=1s18e4&amp;utm_medium=ios&amp;utm_source=ig&amp;utm_content=link_in_bio">here</a>.&nbsp;

The Birthday Pressure We Don’t Talk About with Alexandra Hayes

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7614eabf-db0a-49d9-a638-b3d201102692/transcript

Gabby Reece– former pro volleyball player, Nike's first female signature athlete, co-founder of Laird Superfood, host of The Gabby Reece Show joins Danielle to talk about the real work of building a meaningful life. From the emotional tightrope of motherhood and ambition to the realities of aging, marriage, leadership, and letting go of people-pleasing, Gabby shares the lessons she's learned at every stage. What you'll hear in this episode:
How to build a life that won't leave you full of regret
What it means to "go first"—and how that philosophy shaped her life and career
Her thoughts on Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, and mental health in sports
Her honest take on feminism, sport, and the sexualization of women's bodies
The quiet lie women are told about ambition—and how to design a life that actually fits
What her volleyball career taught her about winning, feelings and how to take up space
Why women in their 50s are calling it the "F.U. Fifties"—and what that really means
What she teaches her daughters about ambition, self-trust, and body image.
A behind-the-scenes look at her Nike shoe deal (the first of its kind for a woman)
Wellness hacks she swears by (including the real reason she started drinking coffee at 45)
The feminist contradiction she's still wrestling with
How marriage to Laird Hamilton has challenged and inspired her
The quiet power of consistency, mentorship, and saying no without apology

Follow Gabby here.

Listen to The Gabby Reece Show here.

Gabby Reece&ndash; former pro volleyball player, Nike's first female signature athlete, co-founder of Laird Superfood, host of The Gabby Reece Show joins Danielle to talk about the real work of building a meaningful life. From the emotional tightrope of motherhood and ambition to the realities of aging, marriage, leadership, and letting go of people-pleasing, Gabby shares the lessons she's learned at every stage. What you'll hear in this episode:
<ul>
<li>How to build a life that won't leave you full of regret</li>
<li>What it means to "go first"&mdash;and how that philosophy shaped her life and career</li>
<li>Her thoughts on Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, and mental health in sports</li>
<li>Her honest take on feminism, sport, and the sexualization of women's bodies</li>
<li>The quiet lie women are told about ambition&mdash;and how to design a life that actually fits</li>
<li>What her volleyball career taught her about winning, feelings and how to take up space</li>
<li>Why women in their 50s are calling it the "F.U. Fifties"&mdash;and what that really means</li>
<li>What she teaches her daughters about ambition, self-trust, and body image.</li>
<li>A behind-the-scenes look at her Nike shoe deal (the first of its kind for a woman)</li>
<li>Wellness hacks she swears by (including the real reason she started drinking coffee at 45)</li>
<li>The feminist contradiction she's still wrestling with</li>
<li>How marriage to Laird Hamilton has challenged and inspired her</li>
<li>The quiet power of consistency, mentorship, and saying no without apology</li>
</ul>
Follow Gabby <a href="https://www.instagram.com/gabbyreece/?hl=en">here</a>.
Listen to The Gabby Reece Show <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gabby-reece-show/id1492179907">here</a>.

Go First: Gabby Reece on Courage, Self-Trust, and Living Without Regret

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ede10d0d-18f9-42f5-b568-b3cb014575e2/transcript

What does it actually mean to live your purpose—and why do so many people feel lost trying to find it? In this episode, NYU Stern professor and Becoming You author Suzy Welch breaks down why popular advice like “follow your passion” and “have it all” often leads to confusion, burnout, and dissatisfaction. Suzy offers a practical, research-backed framework for building a meaningful, productive life. Suzy and Danielle explore values, identity, grief, ambition, motherhood, and why knowing yourself may be the most important skill in a rapidly changing world. In this episode, Suzy shares:
Why most people misunderstand what “purpose” actually means
The difference between values, virtues, skills, and aptitudes
How borrowing values—from parents, partners, or culture—keeps people stuck
Why happiness is fleeting, but meaning and productivity endure
The research behind living in alignment with your purpose
Why “follow your passion” is often harmful career advice
How economic viability plays a critical role in fulfillment
The myth of being a multihyphenate all at once—and why focus matters
What Suzy calls the “Cowbell Syndrome” (and why you have to choose)
Why you can’t have it all at the same time—and why that realization is freeing
How motherhood and career ambition collide biologically and culturally
The difference between a successful life and a meaningful one (and why they’re not separate)
Why consistency is key to professional success
How knowing yourself creates adaptability in an unpredictable world
Why becoming who you are is a lifelong process, not a finish line

Check out Suzy’s book Becoming You

Follow Suzy on Instagram @suzywelch

What does it actually mean to live your purpose&mdash;and why do so many people feel lost trying to find it? In this episode, NYU Stern professor and Becoming You author Suzy Welch breaks down why popular advice like &ldquo;follow your passion&rdquo; and &ldquo;have it all&rdquo; often leads to confusion, burnout, and dissatisfaction. Suzy offers a practical, research-backed framework for building a meaningful, productive life. Suzy and Danielle explore values, identity, grief, ambition, motherhood, and why knowing yourself may be the most important skill in a rapidly changing world. In this episode, Suzy shares:
<ul>
<li>Why most people misunderstand what &ldquo;purpose&rdquo; actually means</li>
<li>The difference between values, virtues, skills, and aptitudes</li>
<li>How borrowing values&mdash;from parents, partners, or culture&mdash;keeps people stuck</li>
<li>Why happiness is fleeting, but meaning and productivity endure</li>
<li>The research behind living in alignment with your purpose</li>
<li>Why &ldquo;follow your passion&rdquo; is often harmful career advice</li>
<li>How economic viability plays a critical role in fulfillment</li>
<li>The myth of being a multihyphenate all at once&mdash;and why focus matters</li>
<li>What Suzy calls the &ldquo;Cowbell Syndrome&rdquo; (and why you have to choose)</li>
<li>Why you can&rsquo;t have it all at the same time&mdash;and why that realization is freeing</li>
<li>How motherhood and career ambition collide biologically and culturally</li>
<li>The difference between a successful life and a meaningful one (and why they&rsquo;re not separate)</li>
<li>Why consistency is key to professional success</li>
<li>How knowing yourself creates adaptability in an unpredictable world</li>
<li>Why becoming who you are is a lifelong process, not a finish line</li>
</ul>
Check out Suzy&rsquo;s book <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/becoming-you-the-proven-method-for-crafting-your-authentic-life-and-career-suzy-welch/fe8ebbbc50a25c03?ean=9780063418608&amp;next=t">Becoming You</a>
Follow Suzy on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/suzywelch/">@suzywelch</a>

The 3 Ingredients of a Meaningful Life + Why Most People Miss Two: with NYU Professor Suzy Welch

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7baa0ea4-83e9-4bd2-b358-b3b7015e89fb/transcript

Humor is a Super Power: with Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka

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