Say Yes! with Carla Hall

Wondery

Carla Hall has a mantra: “Say yes. Adventure follows, then growth.” Taking risks is how she became a world-renowned chef (two-time Top Chef Finalist) and television personality (Netflix’s Crazy Delicious, Good Morning America). All along the way, she’s had to deal with people saying “No" to her—a lot. And she’s not the only one.

On SAY YES!, Carla connects with people who've found success through adversity. In each conversation, her guests talk about how they overcame their own challenges, and how they keep going...even when it seems impossible. Because nobody’s life path is a straight line, and we can all learn from one another’s experiences.

You can binge all episodes of Say Yes! with Carla Hall exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts

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Our Editor's Take

Follow Carla Hall in this upbeat podcast that's all about positivity. Before she was a talk show host and TV personality, Carla was like the rest of us. Life knocked her back again and again. People underestimated her. But she didn't let it keep her down. She chose to Say Yes! In this uplifting show, she talks about how staying positive and continuing to forge forward is the best way to reach success. She brings warmth, genuine good nature, and positive vibes to each episode.

Carla interviews a variety of celebrity and expert guests. Each shares insight into their own lives, life mottos, and challenges. Follow along as she chats with celebrity chefs like Rachel Ray or Duff Goldman. Talk healing with Theresa Caputo, or learn about actor and fellow podcaster Yeardly Smith. No matter who she talks to, Carla is real. She doesn't sugarcoat things or pretend that real problems don't exist.

Carla approaches each day, each challenge, and each interview with light and positivity. This podcast helps listeners feel a little better after having listened. For listeners who struggle with setbacks, feel dreams are hopeless, or feel alone, Say Yes! might be the push they need.

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Society & CultureSociety & Culture

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Listen Now: The Competition

Listen Now: The Competition

Every summer for the past seven decades, 50 high school seniors—one from every state—descend on Mobile, Alabama to take part in one of the country’s most lucrative scholarship competitions for teen girls. The Competition takes you behind the scenes of the Distinguished Young Women (DYW) program, and follows seven girls as they experience the highs and lows of competing for two weeks, away from home and under the most high-stress circumstances. Some girls enter for the money, some for prestige. All of them are used to being the best and the brightest. But only one will walk away with the top prize.Host Shima Oliaee (Dolly Parton’s America, Pink Card) was Nevada’s contestant in 2001. More than 20 years later, she returns to Alabama as a judge. What can two weeks with 50 of the country’s most ambitious teens tell us about girlhood in America?Listen to The Competition on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes early and ad-free right now on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial by visiting Wondery.fm/The_Competition now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episodes

Listen Now: The Competition

Listen Now: The Competition

Every summer for the past seven decades, 50 high school seniors—one from every state—descend on Mobile, Alabama to take part in one of the country’s most lucrative scholarship competitions for teen girls. The Competition takes you behind the scenes of the Distinguished Young Women (DYW) program, and follows seven girls as they experience the highs and lows of competing for two weeks, away from home and under the most high-stress circumstances. Some girls enter for the money, some for prestige. All of them are used to being the best and the brightest. But only one will walk away with the top prize.Host Shima Oliaee (Dolly Parton’s America, Pink Card) was Nevada’s contestant in 2001. More than 20 years later, she returns to Alabama as a judge. What can two weeks with 50 of the country’s most ambitious teens tell us about girlhood in America?Listen to The Competition on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes early and ad-free right now on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial by visiting Wondery.fm/The_Competition now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Carla Says Yes to Biscuits

Carla Says Yes to Biscuits

Say Yes is going to be taking a break, but the show so far has been a journey! Carla recounts some of her favorite moments from past interviews, and gives a critical list of requirements for good biscuits. This week’s ingredient: if you’re not full of biscuits already, get Carla’s cornbread from goldbelly.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Suze Orman Saves for Security

Suze Orman Saves for Security

Planning for the future shouldn’t come as an afterthought, but it’s often one of the hardest things to talk about. Financial expert Suze Orman has spent her career giving advice to help people take control of their money and save for an emergency. She talks with Carla about how she first got into finance as a waitress with no background knowledge, and quickly became a top performing broker. And Suze tells Carla about the health emergency she recently suffered, and how it made her slow down in life. This week’s ingredient: talk with a family member or friend about your short-term money goals!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson Cooks Up Possibilities

Jesse Tyler Ferguson Cooks Up Possibilities

It’s hard to let go of controlling so many things in our lives - when a beloved project ends, what our kids will grow up to be - but all the more rewarding when we accept the unexpected. Jesse Tyler Ferguson, best known for playing Mitchell on Modern Family, pivoted from acting to write a cookbook with his friend Julie Tanous, Food Between Friends. He talks with Carla about the end of Modern Family, his love for cooking, the state cookie of New Mexico, and being a new parent - an exercise in being ready for anything. This week’s ingredient: cook a favorite recipe with a family member or friend that has special significance to you, and share those memories with them!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Iliza Shlesinger Is a Morning Person

Iliza Shlesinger Is a Morning Person

Sometimes following your own rhythm is the best example you can show others. Iliza Shlesinger, comedian and actor, is known for her Netflix standup specials including Unveiled and Elder Millennial. She and her husband also started a series of cooking videos called Don’t Panic Pantry, to show people how to cook some favorite home cooking staples during the pandemic. Iliza and Carla talk about being morning people in the very late night industries of comedy and restaurants, and Iliza shares how she’s never felt shy or hesitant about being herself. In fact, sharing personal experiences on stage has shown her how many women are dealing with the same challenges. This week’s ingredient: let go of your texting expectations and forgive those unanswered messages!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Folake Olowofoyeku Explores New Worlds

Folake Olowofoyeku Explores New Worlds

Being the newbie in the room can be embarrassing, but how else will you expand your horizons? Folake Olowofoyeku, star of Bob Hearts Abishola, talks with Carla about moving from Nigeria to the US, stepping into her first big TV role, and navigating her first press event. Plus they discuss the differences in racial identity and experience between Black Americans and Nigerian immigrants, and the deliciousness of West African food. This week’s ingredient: practice your posture!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Darius Rucker Sings of Sunshine

Darius Rucker Sings of Sunshine

It’s scary to break away from the group and start a solo project, but the new adventure can bring creative success. For Darius Rucker, frontman of Hootie and the Blowfish and Grammy-winning country music singer, another bandmate’s departure signaled the beginning of his solo career. As a Black man, Darius’ path into the mostly white industry of country music was difficult but rewarding. He talks with Carla about the musicians who inspired him, his career in music, and his new single Beers and Sunshine. This week’s ingredient: have a karaoke party to sing the music you loved growing up!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Danielle Evans Writes New Histories

Danielle Evans Writes New Histories

Sometimes getting a creative project done means being willing to risk failure - that’s what award winning author Danielle Evans learned from writing her second book, The Office of Historical Corrections. Danielle talks to Carla about how she tricked herself into writing through a block, and how feedback provides important insight during the writing process. And they discuss the ways that storytelling can show different perspectives on American history, apologies, and second chances. This week’s ingredient: try telling a familiar story from another voice or perspective!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin Organize the Perfect Partnership

Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin Organize the Perfect Partnership

If you’re used to working alone, it’s tempting to just keep going solo - but finding the right person to work with can make an enormous difference. For Joanna Teplin and Clea Shearer, becoming partners and starting their home organizing business together was unexpected, but an instant success. Their show on Netflix, Getting Organized with the Home Edit, shows Clea and Joanna doing what they love best: organizing mess and chaos into labeled containers and restoring balance. They talk with Carla about how a random lunch date turned into a business meeting, and how their introvert/extrovert combination is the perfect match. This week’s ingredient: organize and edit a space, even just a shelf, to make it functional and beautiful!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Michelle Lee Changes the Faces of Beauty

Michelle Lee Changes the Faces of Beauty

Diverse representation means changing not just the cover of the magazine, but what conversations and decisions go into making it. Michelle Lee, Editor in Chief at Allure magazine, made it her mission to redefine beauty by diversifying the images, voices, and stories inside. She also banned the term “anti-aging” from the magazine in an effort to show that beauty isn’t determined by youth. Michelle and Carla talk about her career in magazine journalism, facing imposter syndrome at work, and how Michelle found her place in her job by sticking to her ideals. Plus, she shares her best sunscreen recommendations. This week’s ingredient: appreciate a part of your body that’s changed as you’ve gotten older!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ree Drummond Shares Her Frontier Follies

Ree Drummond Shares Her Frontier Follies

Living in the middle of nowhere doesn’t mean being disconnected - sometimes, it builds the strongest bonds. Author, home chef, and Food Network star Ree Drummond found herself living on a remote ranch in Oklahoma when she married her husband Ladd. It wasn’t the life she’d envisioned for herself, but as she soon found out, it was the life that fit her. Ree tells Carla about the beginnings of her blog-turned-TV show, The Pioneer Woman, and about how her relationship with Ladd involves a lot of humor and rubber snake pranks. This week’s ingredient: stop doomscrolling and enjoy your favorite comfort food!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayim Bialik Stays Curious

Mayim Bialik Stays Curious

Did you know that trying new things literally exercises different parts of your brain? Actress, author, and scientist Mayim Bialik started acting when she was a kid, then got her doctorate in neurobiology before returning to TV in The Big Bang Theory. She’s also written books about the science behind adolescence, and hosts a new podcast on mental health. Mayim’s also starring in a new show, Call Me Kat, about a single woman who opens a cat cafe. Mayim and Carla talk about why it’s important to keep learning and trying new things, what pop music she loves, and why getting nervous makes some people need a bathroom break! This week’s ingredient: notice what happens in your body when you’re stressed.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Laila Ali Throws a (Flavor) Punch

Laila Ali Throws a (Flavor) Punch

Even champions have their doubters, and sometimes that’s an inspiration to fight even harder. Laila Ali, champion boxer and cookbook author, talks with Carla about how her determination to fight overcame her father’s misconceptions about women in the ring, and about how preparation gave her confidence when facing an opponent. And now that she’s retired from boxing, Laila has turned to another of her passions: cooking. She and Carla geek out over how Laila developed her own organic spice mixes, and what they’ve learned about honoring your own palette. This week's ingredient: experiment with a food you don't like by pairing it with flavors you love!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Nicole LePera Does the Work

Dr. Nicole LePera Does the Work

What does it mean to really get to know yourself? Dr. Nicole LePera is a holistic psychologist dedicated to helping people understand the patterns and history that inform our behavior, and the connection between our mind and physical body. Carla and Nicole talk about the need to express ourselves and been seen by others, and the effects of generational trauma. This week's ingredient: ask a friend to tell you what one of your blindspots is.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Misty Copeland Dances into the Future

Misty Copeland Dances into the Future

Saying yes is always hard, especially when it means being the first person to break boundaries. Misty Copeland was the first Black woman to be named principal dancer at the American Ballet Theater, and her stunning career has been focused on further opening up ballet for Black and brown dancers. Her new children’s book, Bunheads, inspired by Misty’s own childhood, shows the power of friendship and storytelling in ballet. Misty talks to Carla about the challenges she faced building her career, and the similarities she sees between being Black and being a ballerina. Plus, Misty shares her passion for inspiring young would-be dancers. This week’s ingredient: read a children’s book!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rachael Ray Bounces Back from 2020

Rachael Ray Bounces Back from 2020

As we close out a very difficult year, many of us are reflecting on loss and how to rebuild after trauma. Rachael Ray, celebrity chef and author, talks with Carla about the devastating fire at her home and how she draws on family lessons about hard work and perseverance to pull through. She also opens up about the loss of her beloved dog Isaboo, and why animal rescue organizations are so close to her heart. This week’s ingredient: find a community hero in your neighborhood and do something small to acknowledge their work.Support us by supporting our sponsors!Panera Bread - Look for Panera Soups as well as more cafe inspired grocery products from Panera next time you shop for groceries. To find a story near you, go to paneraathome.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Theresa Caputo Has a Message

Theresa Caputo Has a Message

This year, we’ve all been coping with loss and thinking about what it means to find healing. Theresa Caputo, star of Long Island Medium, has a gift for sensing what she calls Spirit, the presence of loved ones who’ve passed away. She passes along messages to family members and friends struggling with loss, focusing on soothing past traumas. Theresa and Carla chat about how we mourn the many tragedies in our lives, big and small, especially in 2020, and Theresa’s mission to create a positive impact. Plus, a very special Say Yes moment: Carla and Theresa sing a favorite song together. This week’s ingredient: take a few minutes to recall someone you love.Support us by supporting our sponsors!Panera At Home - Panera’s line of cafe-inspired grocery products gives you a head start at great flavor with limited prep time for your holiday cooking. Find Panera Soups, Mac&Cheese, Dressings and more where you buy groceries – and learn more at paneraathome.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Megan Roup Will Have You Dancing

Megan Roup Will Have You Dancing

It's been a tough year to stay motivated and moving our bodies, but fitness instructor and dancer Megan Roup specializes in just that. After years of training and working as a professional dancer, Megan learned that dance had the power to change her relationship with her body and inspire confidence and strength. Megan talks with Carla about her program, The Sculpt Society, and about why she feels called to her work helping people feel comfortable in their bodies. This week's ingredient: have a dance party at home!Go to TheSculptSociety.com and use Promo Code CARLA25 to get 2 weeks free + 25% off your first month on the TSS app! (valid for new members only)Support us by supporting our sponsors! Panera At Home - From Coffee Shortbread Cookies to Salted Coffee Caramels, find these and many other delightful recipes featuring Coffee and other favorites from Panera’s line of cafe -inspired grocery products by visiting paneraathome.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Yeardley Smith Uses Her Voice

Yeardley Smith Uses Her Voice

Sometimes the things that made us stand out as kids turn out to be valuable assets. Actress, podcaster, and author Yeardley Smith is best known for voicing the iconic Lisa Simpson. Her career in theater and acting goes all the way back to childhood -- but she never anticipated voice acting would be her ticket to fame, especially after being teased for having a distinctive voice. Yeardley and Carla talk about changing their own perceptions of what success looks like, leaping into new adventures, and how Yeardley started her podcast and found a new relationship. This week’s ingredient: reinvent your Thanksgiving leftovers!Support us by supporting our sponsors! Panera At Home - Find stress-free, delicious recipes featuring Panera cafe inspired grocery products at paneraathome.com. You can pick up your favorite Panera varieties where you shop for groceries, online or in-store!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jamie Oliver Keeps It Simple

Jamie Oliver Keeps It Simple

Often it’s the easiest, fastest meals that are the most delicious. Starting with his show The Naked Chef, Jamie Oliver’s had a long career in cooking, TV, cookbook writing, and running restaurants. In his new cookbook 7 Ways, Jamie continues his emphasis on simple, home cooking with few ingredients, aimed at getting even reluctant cooks to make something tasty. But Jamie’s also faced obstacles in the restaurant business that have taught him valuable lessons. Carla and Jamie talk about the importance of home cooking, embracing failure, and how you can never have too many chili sauces. This week’s ingredient: find something at home and repurpose it in a fun way!Support our show by supporting our sponsors! Panera At Home - Panera Refrigerated Soups and Mac & Cheese are available in the refrigerated deli section, and Panera Sliced Breads are on the shelf in the bread aisle where you buy groceries. Go to paneraathome.com for these and many more delicious meal ideas! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.