Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert

Elizabeth Gilbert and Maximum Fun

Bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert returns for the second season of her hit podcast MAGIC LESSONS, ready to help another batch of aspiring artists overcome their fears and create more joyfully. This year’s guest experts include Neil Gaiman, Gary Shteyngart, Amy Purdy, Michael Ian Black, Brandon Stanton, Martha Beck, and Glennon Doyle Melton.

MAGIC LESSONS art courtesy of Riverhead Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

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22 episodes
Updated Sep 23, 2016

Episodes22

Newest first

Magic Lessons Ep. 209: “Show Up Before You’re Ready” featuring Glennon Doyle Melton
This week, on the season finale of Magic Lessons, Elizabeth Gilbert takes a deep dive into the some of the season’s themes with writer and activist Glennon Doyle Melton. They talk about Melton’s trajectory from blogger to best-selling author, and she offers a benediction to the eight creators who shared their stories this season. Special Guest: Glennon Doyle Melton is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoirs Love Warrior and Carry On, Warrior:The Power of Embracing Your Messy, Beauti
Sep 23, 2016 · 55 min
Magic Lessons Ep. 208: “Leap Into the Fire” featuring Martha Beck
This week on Magic Lessons, Elizabeth Gilbert advises Hope, a spoken-word poet in Ohio. A self-described introvert, Hope wants to take her poetry to the next level, but she's scared to submit her work to journals and enter poetry slams. She's paralyzed by a deep fear of rejection. Liz calls up her friend, the writer and life coach Martha Beck, for more guidance on Hope’s case. Special Guest: Martha Beck is a speaker, writer, and life coach. Her bestselling books include Expecting Adam, Finding Y
Sep 16, 2016 · 1 hr 19 min
Magic Lessons Ep. 207: “Living the Dream and Facing the Nightmare” featuring Neil Gaiman
This week on Magic Lessons, Elizabeth Gilbert advises Britta, a former lawyer-turned- writer in Amsterdam struggling to make progress on her second book. After success with her first novel, Britta made several failed attempts to start her second. She can’t find the flow and fears she has lost the the joy in writing. Liz calls up her friend, the prolific writer and novelist Neil Gaiman, for more guidance on Britta’s case. Special Guest: Neil Gaiman writes fiction, comic books, graphic novels, jou
Sep 9, 2016 · 1 hr 18 min
Magic Lessons Ep. 206: "Dancing From the Heart" featuring Amy Purdy
This week on Magic Lessons, Elizabeth Gilbert advises Penelope, a dance teacher in New Jersey, who wants to create a dance performance to mark her 60th birthday. Even though she’s been dancing her whole life, she’s having trouble finding the courage to pull this off. For expert guidance, Liz calls up one of the most courageous dancers she knows: Amy Purdy — a Paralympian snowboarder and semifinalist on Dancing With the Stars. Special Guest: Amy Purdy is a snowboarder, Paralympian, dancer, model
Sep 2, 2016 · 1 hr 17 min
Magic Lessons Ep. 205: “Call Your Real Life By Its True Name” featuring Gary Shteyngart
This week on Magic Lessons, Elizabeth Gilbert advises Colleen, an advertising executive in New York City, who dreams of being a storyteller but fears it's a frivolous pursuit. Colleen hopes to create a one-woman show, mining stories from her childhood growing up in an Irish Catholic family that ran and owned a bar. Liz calls up the writer Gary Shteyngart for additional expertise on the pain and relief that comes with telling family stories. Special Guest: Gary Shteyngart is the award-winning aut
Aug 26, 2016 · 1 hr 18 min
Magic Lessons Ep. 204: “Who Gets To Decide Whether You're A Legitimate Artist?" featuring Mark Nepo
This week on Magic Lessons, Elizabeth Gilbert talks with Cecilia, a young poet in Florida. Cecilia fell in love with poetry in college and applied to a dozen MFA programs. She got rejected from every one. Devastated by the rejection she fell into great despair and wondered if she could still call herself a poet when these MFA programs deemed her talents insufficient. For extra guidance Liz brings in her friend, the poet and storyteller Mark Nepo, who has soulful advice for Cecilia. And later we
Aug 19, 2016 · 1 hr 16 min
Magic Lessons Ep 203: "Know the Taste of Failure" featuring Michael Ian Black
This week on Magic Lessons, Elizabeth Gilbert enlists the comedian Michael Ian Black to help coach Keith, an improv comedy performer in Baltimore. A few years ago Keith fell hard for improv. He took every improv class in Baltimore and but there wasn't a regular space to perform. So he formed a troupe and found a venue, building a vibrant improv community called the Charm City Comedy Project. But, somewhere along the way, he neglected his own dreams of creating a one-man show. Special Guest: Mic
Aug 12, 2016 · 1 hr 14 min
Magic Lessons Ep. 202: "Make the Brutal Into the Beautiful" Featuring Brandon Stanton
This week on Magic Lessons, Elizabeth Gilbert advises Anne, a photographer in Pennsylvania. For the last few years Anne has been documenting her brother's life. He's a veteran with PTSD and a recovering drug addict. She imagines turning all this material into a photo-essay exhibit or book, but she's afraid to take the next steps to make it happen. To help guide Anne, Liz calls up her friend Brandon Stanton, the photographer and creator of the photo series "Humans of New York.” Several weeks late
Aug 5, 2016 · 1 hr 12 min
Magic Lessons Ep. 201: "You Have a Screaming, Not a Calling." Featuring Sarah Jones
Jo has spent years working on her phD on the Holocaust and fighting for feminist causes, but that work is not where her true passions lie. She wants to fulfill a childhood dream and write comedy and comic novels. Jo wonders: am I allowed to stop saving the world and make fun art? Elizabeth Gilbert offers Jo advice along with her friend, the performer and playwright Sarah Jones. And we check in with Jo several weeks later to hear how the advice landed and inspired change. Special Guest: Sarah J
Jul 29, 2016 · 1 hr 15 min
Magic Lessons season 2 begins Friday, July 29!
Bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert returns for the second season of her hit podcast MAGIC LESSONS, ready to help another batch of aspiring artists overcome their fears and create more joyfully. This year’s guest experts include Neil Gaiman, Gary Shteyngart, Amy Purdy, Michael Ian Black, Brandon Stanton, Martha Beck, and Glennon Doyle Melton.
Jul 26, 2016 · 1 min
Magic Lessons Se. 1, Ep. 12: Brene Brown on "Big Strong Magic"
The author of BIG MAGIC talks to Brene Brown, the author of RISING STRONG, about how essential creativity is for healthy, wholehearted living. This is an installment of Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert. For more information on Elizabeth Gilbert, please visit: www.elizabethgilbert.com.
Jul 25, 2016 · 35 min
Magic Lessons Se. 1, Ep. 11: "The Big Check-In"
The author of BIG MAGIC finds out how five podcast participants are honoring their "contracts with inspiration." This is an installment of Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert. For more information on Elizabeth Gilbert, please visit: www.elizabethgilbert.com.
Jul 25, 2016 · 1 hr
Magic Lessons Se. 1, Ep. 10: "John Hodgman on "The Question of What Come Next"
The author of BIG MAGIC speaks with the writer, comedian, and prolific podcaster about the boredom of mastery and the thrill of self-reinvention. This is an installment of Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert. For more information on Elizabeth Gilbert, please visit: www.elizabethgilbert.com.
Jul 25, 2016 · 21 min
Magic Lessons Se. 1, Ep. 9: "Dear Creativity and Fear"
The author of BIG MAGIC helps a photographer find the courage to follow her creative impulses into a new realm. This is an installment of Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert. For more information on Elizabeth Gilbert, please visit: www.elizabethgilbert.com.
Jul 25, 2016 · 17 min
Magic Lessons Se. 1, Ep. 8: "The Pure Pleasure of Making Stuff"
The author of BIG MAGIC and the multi-talented Rayya Elias on the sheer joy of creation. This is an installment of Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert. For more information on Elizabeth Gilbert, please visit: www.elizabethgilbert.com.
Jul 25, 2016 · 14 min
Magic Lessons Se. 1, Ep. 7: "Sexy, Dirty, Nasty, Wicked"
The author of BIG MAGIC helps an art teacher run off and have an affair with her art. This is an installment of Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert. For more information on Elizabeth Gilbert, please visit: www.elizabethgilbert.com.
Jul 25, 2016 · 21 min
Magic Lessons Se. 1, Ep. 6: Ann Patchett's Counter-advice "Dive into That Well"
The author of BIG MAGIC and the author of THIS IS THE STORY OF A HAPPY MARRIAGE on stories that demand to be told. This is an installment of Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert. For more information on Elizabeth Gilbert, please visit: www.elizabethgilbert.com.
Jul 25, 2016 · 14 min
Magic Lessons Se. 1, Ep. 5: "Access Your Joy"
The author of BIG MAGIC helps a grieving songwriter get back to making music. This is an installment of Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert. For more information on Elizabeth Gilbert, please visit: www.elizabethgilbert.com.
Jul 25, 2016 · 21 min
Magic Lessons Se. 1, Ep. 4: Rob Bell on how "The Action Is Right Here"
The author of BIG MAGIC speaks with Pastor Rob Bell about protecting the soul in a soulless environment. This is an installment of Magic Lessons with ELizabeth Gilbert. For more information on Elizabeth Gilbert, please visit: www.elizabethgilbert.com.
Jul 25, 2016 · 17 min
Magic Lessons Se. 1, Ep. 3: "The Thing That You Are Seeking Is Also Seeking You"
The author of BIG MAGIC helps a call center worker find a way to keep the creative spirit alive. This is an installment of Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert. For more information on Elizabeth Gilbert, please visit: www.elizabethgilbert.com.
Jul 25, 2016 · 20 min

Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert

Magic Lessons Ep. 209: “Show Up Before You’re Ready” featuring Glennon Doyle Melton

Magic Lessons Ep. 208: “Leap Into the Fire” featuring Martha Beck

Magic Lessons Ep. 207: “Living the Dream and Facing the Nightmare” featuring Neil Gaiman

Magic Lessons Ep. 206: "Dancing From the Heart" featuring Amy Purdy

Magic Lessons Ep. 205: “Call Your Real Life By Its True Name” featuring Gary Shteyngart

Magic Lessons Ep. 204: “Who Gets To Decide Whether You're A Legitimate Artist?" featuring Mark Nepo

Magic Lessons Ep 203: "Know the Taste of Failure" featuring Michael Ian Black

Magic Lessons Ep. 202: "Make the Brutal Into the Beautiful" Featuring Brandon Stanton

Magic Lessons Ep. 201: "You Have a Screaming, Not a Calling." Featuring Sarah Jones

Magic Lessons season 2 begins Friday, July 29!

Magic Lessons Se. 1, Ep. 12: Brene Brown on "Big Strong Magic"

Magic Lessons Se. 1, Ep. 11: "The Big Check-In"

Magic Lessons Se. 1, Ep. 10: "John Hodgman on "The Question of What Come Next"

Magic Lessons Se. 1, Ep. 9: "Dear Creativity and Fear"

Magic Lessons Se. 1, Ep. 8: "The Pure Pleasure of Making Stuff"

Magic Lessons Se. 1, Ep. 7: "Sexy, Dirty, Nasty, Wicked"

Magic Lessons Se. 1, Ep. 6: Ann Patchett's Counter-advice "Dive into That Well"

Magic Lessons Se. 1, Ep. 5: "Access Your Joy"

Magic Lessons Se. 1, Ep. 4: Rob Bell on how "The Action Is Right Here"

Magic Lessons Se. 1, Ep. 3: "The Thing That You Are Seeking Is Also Seeking You"