QUESTION EVERYTHING

iHeartPodcasts

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.

  1. 2D AGO

    Mistaking Chaos for Love: Jeannie Mai on Healing + Becoming

    Jeannie Mai, host, style icon, mother, and one of the most recognizable voices in daytime television, opens up about her early Bay Area life that shaped her long before the spotlight. From leaving home at 14 and surviving sexual abuse, to learning how to reinvent, and soften without losing her edge, Jeannie reflects on the cost of becoming who the world sees + the courage it took to become who she actually is. Now in a new chapter she calls 'becoming', Jeannie talks honestly about divorce from her former husband Jeezy, motherhood, co-parenting, faith, healing, and what it really means to rise from the ashes. In this episode, Jeannie shares: What she learned from navigating instability at a young age, and how it influenced her approach to love and healing The community of women that rallied around her during her toughest moment. How survival skills can quietly become limitations in adulthood The difference between intensity vs. intimacy (and how chaos can masquerade as love) How to recognize when you’re performing love instead of living it Why being single can be “the most prized piece of land you’ll ever inherit” Why divorce feels like “experiencing death alive” Why the end of love often marks the beginning of real self-work What “doing the work” actually looks like after divorce Why healing requires time alone, but not isolation The role of movement, strength, and progress in healingWhy not taking things personally is an emotional superpower Jeannie opens up about the labels people love to slap on women (“divorced,” “single,” “46,” “mom”) + why they’ll never tell the full story Why children don’t exist to heal us, but often reflect us The tearful moment her daughter mirrored back words Jeannie had only ever prayed silently How she loves to show up + surprise her friends How to redefine healthy love without closing yourself off How faith evolves when you stop asking and start listening Follow Jeannie on Instagram @thejeanniemai and on her YouTube.  Book recommendation: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk M.D. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    56 min
  2. JAN 22

    The Diddy Verdict Explains EVERYTHING About Men + Power Right Now

    Writer and cultural critic Christiana Mbakwe Medina joins Question Everything to dissect the strange, shifting logic of our current moment, from the collapse of celebrity mystique to our obsession with wealth, power, and proximity to influence. Christiana and Danielle, explore why “cancel culture” doesn’t really cancel anyone, how pop culture functions as soft power, and why so many modern myths, from the tradwife fantasy to the American Dream, are starting to crack. They also look ahead to what 2026 might bring: a more irreverent cultural mood shaped by fear fatigue, AI, and a hunger for something that feels human. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why pop culture is a mirror of society, not a distraction from it How celebrity lost its mystique in the age of access and social media Why cancel culture rarely has lasting consequences Why Lauren Sánchez Bezos may be one of the most important power brokers in culture right now What the Diddy verdict reveals about power, fame, and forgiveness How and why powerful men are so often culturally forgiven What “soft power” really means—and how culture shapes politics more than we think Why we confuse wealth with moral worth How the American Dream functions more like a myth than a reality What the tradwife / “soft life” fantasy is really selling to burned-out women Why staying home is far harder and riskier than TikTok makes it look How AI is quietly reshaping creativity and culture already Why culture may be entering a more irreverent, punk era after years of fear and caution What’s actually changing about fame, influence, and the influencer economy Why celebrity apologies rarely work (and never really have) How we should think about aging, relevance, and cultural exits (including Beyoncé) What we’re misreading about power, gender, and modern ambition Follow Christiana on Instagram @christianaama, and don’t miss her Substack and podcast, Pop Syllabus. Book recommendation: The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson Substack:  https://popsyllabus.substack.com/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pop-syllabus/id1866754314 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 6m
  3. JAN 15

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

    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 Substack here.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    53 min
  4. JAN 8

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

    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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 3m
  5. JAN 1

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

    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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    45 min
  6. 2025-12-25

    2026 Action Plan: 5 Steps to Transform Your Year

    What if 2026 isn’t about doing more, but doing what actually matters? In this annual episode of QUESTION EVERYTHING, Danielle invites you to reflect on the year behind you with curiosity and clarity, and to step into the year ahead with intention. This isn’t about rigid resolutions, it’s about a 2026 Action Plan to set goals with heart, intention and transform your life. In this episode, you’ll learn: Danielle’s signature 5-step plan, a FREE and thoughtfully designed resource to help you reflect, dream, and plan with purpose How Danielle spent $50k worth of coaches, therapists, to create this plan for you for free.  How to revisit the highlights and lowlights of 2025 from a place of curiosity, not judgment How to create your blueprint for 2026, starting with the question: If this year were your masterpiece, what would you create?  Choose three focus areas that would change everything if you committed to them consistently Use a simple framework to decide what deserves a “yes” in the coming year Understand why luck isn’t random + how to put yourself in positions where opportunity can find you Danielle’s personal stories, practical tools, and thoughtful prompts to help you dream bigger, plan smarter, and step into 2026 with clarity, confidence, and joy FREE DOWNLOAD: Get the 2026 New Year’s Action Plan when you enter your email at www.daniellerobay.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 7m
  7. 2025-12-18

    From Hustle to Healing: Rewriting the Plan You Outgrew With Cameron Rogers

    Which truths shape us, and which ones hold us back? In this episode, Cameron Rogers opens up to Danielle about the unexpected turns, identity shifts, and inner work that shaped the woman she is today. From walking away from a prestigious finance career to navigating anxiety, reinvention, and viral honesty online, she shares the truths she had to confront and the ones she chose to release. In this episode, Cameron shares: How her online persona “Freckled Foodie” began as a secret side project while she worked on Wall Street The unexpected moment she realized hustle culture was consuming her Why leaving her finance job didn’t magically erase her anxiety How pregnancy and postpartum cracked open a deeper level of honesty in her life and online The evolution from wellness content to vulnerable conversations about mental health The boundaries she keeps around what she shares publicly versus what stays private How trusting her gut became her most reliable guide in parenting, work, and relationships What she learned about partnership, emotional labor, and choosing a true co-parent The identity shifts that come with reinvention The therapy tools and mindset shifts that changed the way she moves through the world Follow Cameron on Instagram @CameronRogers Book recommendation: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas Check out Cameron’s podcast Conversations with Cam See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    44 min
  8. 2025-12-11

    Jenna Lyons & Erin Lichy on Style, Shabbat, and Surviving Real Housewives

    ‘Real Housewives’ stars Jenna Lyons and Erin Lichy join Danielle to reflect on the reinventions that shaped them, as women, creatives, and public figures. From family rituals to the pressures of perfection, online criticism, and the surprising freedom of letting go, they share what it really takes to stay grounded when the world is watching. Jenna and Erin share: How childhood food experiences shaped their adult relationship to cooking  Why perfectionism keeps so many women from hosting, and how Erin’s weekly Shabbat dinners taught her to “unbutton” and welcome people in without fear. What it’s really like to reinvent yourself on reality TV, including dealing with internet trolls, losing control of the narrative, and showing up authentically anyway. The wild story behind Jenna’s lash brand failure, including moldy packaging, a delayed launch, and losing Target as a customer, and why she now sees it as her biggest business lesson. How being an outsider can shape empathy and taste Why female friendship matters as adults, and how their bond formed not through glamor but through vulnerability The refreshing style advice about creating a signature look  What makes a great leader or creative, plus why you should hire people smarter than you Follow Jenna and Erin on Instagram @jennalyonsnyc and @erindanalichy Check out Erin’s book She’s a Host See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    49 min

Hosts & Guests

4.5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

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.

You Might Also Like