Call Me Friend

Daryn Kagan
  • 5.0 (19)
  • RELATIONSHIPS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Who do you call when life gets real? When the good news hits, the heartbreak lands, or you're just having one of those days—you call a friend. That’s the heartbeat of Call Me Friend—a feel good biweekly podcast that drops you into the kind of conversations that remind us who we are, where we belong, and why friendship matters. Hosted by former network news anchor, wife, mom, and Airbnb host Daryn Kagan, Call Me Friend is your weekly reminder of the joy, laughter, and healing that come with connection. Each week, Daryn picks up the phone from Ms. Lou’s Cabin—a 50-year-old log home she and her husband lovingly restored and turned into an Airbnb—to chat with someone in her world, whether it’s a celebrity, her childhood bestie, or someone she just met along the way or maybe even YOU. No matter who she’s calling, the focus is always the same: celebrating the power of friendship and connection. Every episode kicks off with a ring-ring and drops you into a real-life conversations between friends. These aren’t interviews with hot takes or polished soundbites—just raw, funny, heartfelt, deeply human chats between people who genuinely know and care about each other. From lifelong friendships to surprise connections, everyday legends to familiar names, Call Me Friend is a front-row seat to how beautiful, messy, and meaningful friendships can be. This show is for anyone craving more depth, more heart, and more of the good stuff that makes life not just bearable—but beautiful. It’s a cozy corner of the podcast world where emotional wellness, storytelling, and humor live in harmony. Whether you’re looking for comfort, relatable stories, or a pick-me-up on a hard day, this podcast is for you, yes YOU. Expect wild stories, sweet memories, laugh-out-loud moments, and those quiet “Yeah… me too” pauses that make you feel truly seen. Fun segments like “You Gotta Meet My Friend” spotlight special guests introducing someone they love, while “Call Me, Friend” invites listeners to write in with questions and stories. And the “Friend Questionnaire” keeps things surprising, uncovering the quirks and connections that make every friendship unique. What makes Call Me Friend stand out? This show isn’t about networking or hustle. It’s not self-help. It’s heart-help. Because friendship isn’t just background noise—it’s the main character. If you’ve ever found joy, comfort, or healing through a friend—or just needed someone to say, “I get it”—this is your space. Call Me Friend is more than a podcast. It’s a weekly call you can count on. A soft place to land. A reminder that even when life feels messy, everything gets better when you talk to a friend. If you love heartfelt conversations, personal stories, and a little laughter with your life lessons, this is the one you’ve been waiting for. So whether you're commuting, folding laundry, walking the dog, or just trying to quiet your mind—remember this: you’re not alone. Someone out there gets it. Someone out there would totally take your call. Go ahead, pick up the phone. Let’s laugh. Let’s cry. Let’s Call a Friend. About the Host: Daryn Kagan is a former CNN anchor turned full-time storyteller. After leaving the fast-paced world of network news, she built a life rooted in purpose, connection, and authenticity. Now living on the quiet Georgia coast, Daryn records Call Me Friend from Ms. Lou’s Cabin, a restored 50-year-old log home turned Airbnb. From there she runs the nationwide Just One More Foundation giving grants for second chances. A wife, mom, dog mama, and connection junkie, Daryn’s superpower is bringing people together—and her gift for real conversation is what makes this podcast feel like catching up with your favorite friend. Just One More Foundation : https://www.justonemorefoundation.org/ Instagram: Call Me Friend Instagram: Daryn Kagan Facebook: Daryn Kagan Website: https://darynkagan.com/ LinkedIn :

  1. How a Single Cookie & Three Cancer Battles Created Purpose for a Mother & Daughter

    2D AGO

    How a Single Cookie & Three Cancer Battles Created Purpose for a Mother & Daughter

    When life delivers unthinkable loss, what happens next can change everything. Cancer survival, grief and healing, a mother-daughter business, resilience after loss, and turning pain into purpose and connection are all discussed on this episode of Call Me Friend, featuring Laura Stachler and her daughter Susan Stachler. This is an inside-out story of grief, resilience, and purpose. After losing Laura’s sister Susan to Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the family later faced the same diagnosis again when daughter Susan was in college. What followed was cancer treatment, uncertainty, and an unexpected idea that started in a garage and grew into a nationally loved business built on comfort, connection, and saying “I’m thinking of you.” Together, they share how baking became therapy, how a single ginger snap helped ease chemo nausea, and how Susan Snaps grew into a way to support people during life’s hardest moments. This episode explores what it means to move through trauma, redefine success, and build community when you feel like an outsider. If you believe small gestures matter, this conversation will stay with you. In This Episode, You Will Learn✅ How grief can become a catalyst for purpose ✅ What it means to build a business after cancer ✅ Why baking became a form of healing ✅ How Susansnaps grew from a garage to a national brand ✅ Why perspective changes everything after loss ✅ How small acts of kindness create real community Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabinSign up for our newsletter https://darynkagan.substack.com/Key Timestamps00:00 An inside-out story of loss and resilience 04:10 Losing a sister to Hodgkin’s lymphoma 07:40 A shocking cancer diagnosis repeats generations later 11:00 Baking as therapy during chemo 12:45 The ginger snap that changed everything 15:20 Turning comfort into a business 18:00 Mother-daughter business dynamics 21:00 Perspective after surviving cancer 23:45 “Asking for a Friend” advice on belonging 27:50 Being told “you can’t” and proving otherwise 34:00 Why kindness matters more than perfection Key Takeaways🔹 Trauma changes perspective forever 🔹 Healing can start in unexpected places 🔹 Purpose often grows out of pain 🔹 Community is built through small, consistent kindness 🔹 You don’t have to fit in to make an impact Guest BioLaura Stachler and her daughter Susan Stachler are the founders of Susansnaps, a cookie company born out of cancer treatment, love, and the need to bring comfort to others. What began as homemade ginger snaps shared at a cancer center has grown into a nationally recognized brand known for connection, compassion, and showing up when words fall short. Resources & MentionsSusansnaps: https://susansnaps.com/Angel Flight Soars https://www.angelflightsoars.org/Jack Black Lip Balm https://amzn.to/4sl1ntVspan class="ql-ui"...

    44 min
  2. Mary Kay Andrews on Grief, Aging Boldly, and Speaking Without Apology

    FEB 18

    Mary Kay Andrews on Grief, Aging Boldly, and Speaking Without Apology

    Reinvention after 70 is not about starting over, it’s about evolving with clarity and courage. On Call Me Friend, Daryn Kagan calls bestselling author Mary Kay Andrews for a raw, honest conversation about aging boldly, personal loss, career pivots, and finally saying what matters most. Mary Kay shares how she transitioned from newspaper journalism to writing more than 30 bestselling novels, why losing her daughter changed how she shows up in the world, and what pushed her to become outspoken on social media later in life. Together, they explore why evolution matters more than reinvention, how grief and purpose can coexist, and why having fewer filters can actually bring more connection. This episode also touches on health after 70, finding meaning through advocacy, and why pivoting is one of the most important life skills as we age. If you are navigating change, grief, or wondering what’s next in midlife or beyond, this conversation will remind you that growth doesn’t have an expiration date. In This Episode, You Will Learn✅ Why evolution matters more than reinvention as we age ✅ How Mary Kay Andrews left journalism to become a bestselling author ✅ How grief reshaped her priorities and sense of purpose ✅ Why she decided to speak out politically later in life ✅ How to pivot without a safety net ✅ Why aging can bring freedom instead of fear Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabinSign up for our newsletter https://darynkagan.substack.com/Timestamps(00:00) Reinvention after 70 and evolving without apology (04:10) Health, aging, and changing habits later in life (08:00) Leaving journalism and secretly writing fiction (13:20) Getting published by breaking the rules (18:40) Creating the Mary Kay Andrews pen name (24:10) Losing her daughter and navigating grief (28:30) Advocacy, purpose, and speaking out (33:40) Social media, backlash, and finding your voice (37:30) Why pivoting is the ultimate life skill Key Takeaways🔹 Reinvention doesn’t always mean starting over 🔹 Grief and purpose can exist at the same time 🔹 Aging brings clarity and courage 🔹 Pivoting is a skill that grows with time Guest BioMary Kay Andrews is a New York Times bestselling author with more than 30 novels published. A former newspaper journalist, she built a second career writing beloved Southern fiction and mysteries. Today, she is also known for her outspoken advocacy, powerful storytelling, and fearless honesty about aging, loss, and purpose. ResourcesMary Kay Andrews new book "Road Trip" https://amzn.to/3OebLVsFriends and Fiction:https://friendsandfiction.com/Helping Mamas: https://helpingmamas.org/Department Q: https://www.netflix.com/title/81487660span class="ql-ui"...

    47 min
  3. Done Being Single? Late Bloomers Are Finding Love

    FEB 11

    Done Being Single? Late Bloomers Are Finding Love

    Dating after 40 and being single can feel exhausting in modern dating culture. On Call Me Friend, Daryn Kagan talks with dating coach Treva Brandon Scharf about dating burnout and finding love later in life without losing yourself. Treva shares her late-bloomer love story, why being single does not mean something is wrong with you, and how releasing pressure can actually create space for real connection. Together, they unpack how modern dating apps have changed relationships, why conviction matters more than confidence, and how “settling on” someone can be a powerful and intentional choice. This episode also introduces a new segment, Asking for a Friend, where a listener navigating dating after 40 asks how to stay hopeful when the future feels uncertain. Treva’s advice reframes dating burnout, self-worth, and timing in a way that feels grounding, realistic, and deeply reassuring. If you are single, burned out from dating apps, or wondering whether finding love later in life is still possible, this conversation will remind you that where you are now is not where you will always be. In This Episode, You Will Learn✅ Why being single is not a personal failure ✅ How releasing pressure can actually open the door to love ✅ What “settling on” someone really means and why it can be powerful ✅ Why conviction matters more than confidence or chemistry ✅ How dating apps are fueling burnout and how to date with intention ✅ Why love rarely looks the way we expect it to Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/ Timestamps:00:00 Why being single does not mean you are broken06:30 The truth about timing, panic, and the biological clock10:00 Letting go of the death grip and meeting love unexpectedly17:40 Why desperation changes your picker23:20 Conviction versus confidence in dating28:00 Redefining “settling” as a decisive choice30:00 Asking for a Friend segment begins39:50 When love and family look different than you imagined Key Takeaways🔹 Being single is a season, not a verdict 🔹 You cannot force love, but you can create opportunity 🔹 Dating success starts with self-belief, not perfection 🔹 Surrender is not giving up, it is trusting the process Guest BioTreva Brandon Scharf is a certified dating, relationship, and life coach and the author of Done Being Single. A self-described late bloomer, Treva spent decades dating before finding lasting love and now helps others navigate modern dating with clarity, accountability, and self-trust. ResourcesDone Being Single: A Late Bloomer’s Guide to Love by Treva Brandon Scharf https://amzn.to/4tfyWP0li

    50 min
  4. He Lost His Job and His Wife. Singing for Hospice Families Helped Him Rebuild His Life

    JAN 28

    He Lost His Job and His Wife. Singing for Hospice Families Helped Him Rebuild His Life

    What happens when life knocks you down and you choose service instead of fear? Host Daryn Kagan sits down with hospice singer Kevin Dunn, a man whose life changed forever after losing his job, hearing a calling to serve, and spending over 23 years singing for patients at a hospice in West Georgia. What started as a moment of uncertainty became a lifelong mission of compassion, faith, and human connection. Kevin shares how volunteering in hospice taught him that end-of-life care is not just about dying, but about dignity, peace, healing, and presence. He opens up about singing acapella at patients’ bedsides, the emotional moments families experience during final goodbyes, and how music creates comfort when words fall short. The conversation takes a deeply personal turn when Kevin reveals how his own wife Deborah eventually entered the same hospice where he volunteered for years. Through grief, love, legacy, and resilience, Kevin continued to serve even after her passing, honoring her memory through service and a scholarship program in her name. This episode explores how service helps you get out of a life slump, how volunteering transforms mental health, and why helping others can restore hope, purpose, and joy. If you’re searching for inspiration, personal growth, spiritual encouragement, or meaningful stories about hospice care and human connection, this one will hit different. In This Episode You Will Learn ✅ How volunteering can pull you out of emotional burnout and life slumps ✅ Why hospice care is about comfort, dignity, and connection, not just death ✅ How music heals patients and families during end-of-life care ✅ What it means to live a life of service and faith ✅ How grief can deepen purpose instead of ending it ✅ Why modeling compassion impacts future generations Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/ Timestamps: 00:00 He Lost His Job and His Wife. Singing for Hospice Families Helped Him Rebuild His Life05:50 Losing a job and hearing a life-changing calling07:36 The moment Kevin heard the word “hospice”09:06 Starting hospice volunteer training and committing to service10:51 Why Kevin shifted to pure acapella singing13:52 Deborah’s cancer journey and the road to hospice care16:15 Singing to Deborah and the power of hearing at end of life17:28 Returning to hospice after grief and honoring Deborah’s legacy19:57 A powerful bedside moment during “Amazing Grace”31:18 Service as the secret to escaping a slump Key Takeaways💎 Service creates healing for both the giver and the receiver 💎 Hospice care focuses on peace, dignity, and comfort 💎 Music creates emotional connection when words cannot 💎 Grief can transform into legacy and purpose 💎 Helping others breaks the cycle of personal burnout 💎 Small acts of compassion ripple across generations Guest BioKevin Dunn is a hospice volunteer and singer who has dedicated more than two decades to bringing comfort, peace, and hope to patients and families through music. After losing his job, Kevin followed a calling to serve in hospice care, where he sings weekly at patients’ bedsides. His story blends faith, resilience, grief, love, and the transformational power of service. Resources & Mentions Website: a href="http://dunn4uministries.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    35 min
  5. From Addiction to Fatherhood: The Second Chance That Changed Everything

    JAN 7

    From Addiction to Fatherhood: The Second Chance That Changed Everything

    Second chances change lives. In this deeply moving episode of Call Me Friend, host Daryn Kagan pulls back the curtain on a moment few people ever see: a surprise grant award that changes everything. What begins as a routine follow-up interview turns into a life-altering moment for Jimmy Erickson, a father, student, and recovering addict doing everything he can to build a better future for his family. From past struggles with addiction and DUIs to earning a 4.0 GPA while working 60-hour weeks and raising a nonverbal autistic son, Jimmy’s story is a raw example of resilience, responsibility, and real growth. This episode is a reminder that redemption is not about perfection. It is about showing up, doing the work, and choosing love over quitting. If you believe in second chances, meaningful friendships, and stories that restore faith in humanity, this one hits different. In This Episode You Will Learn ✅Why second chances matter more after the hard work is already done ✅How fatherhood can become the ultimate motivation for change ✅What real resilience looks like behind the scenes ✅How nonprofit grants can create generational impact ✅Why imperfect stories are often the most powerful ones Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/ Timestamps 00:00 Second Chances, Fatherhood, and the Power of Showing Up with Jimmy Erickson02:58 Why this grant moment matters so much to the foundation03:38 Sponsor spotlight: Ms Lou’s Cabin on the Georgia Coast04:46 Meet Jimmy Erickson05:18 Why Jimmy was selected from over 250 applications06:14 Jimmy opens up about addiction and hitting rock bottom07:49 Balancing school, work, and caring for an autistic child14:49 The moment Jimmy learns he is receiving the grant16:13 Why this story defines the mission of Just One More Foundation18:35 Post-interview reflection with Richard Rogers19:07 Parenting through challenges and shared experiences20:11 Why love and work ethic stand out21:07 Climbing out of the well and not going back22:10 Why Just One More focuses on people who’ve done the work22:59 Following recipients beyond the grantspan class="ql-ui"...

    28 min

  6. EPISODE 18

    Call Me Friend Podcast 2025 Year in Review | The Real Conversations That Changed Everything

    Who do you call when life gets real? When the good news hits, the heartbreak lands, or you're just having one of those days—you call a friend. That’s the heartbeat of Call Me Friend—a feel good bi-weekly podcast that drops you into the kind of conversations that remind us who we are, where we belong, and why friendship matters. Hosted by former network news anchor, wife, mom, and Airbnb host Daryn Kagan, Call Me Friend is your weekly reminder of the joy, laughter, and healing that come with connection. Each week, Daryn picks up the phone from Ms. Lou’s Cabin—a 50-year-old log home she and her husband lovingly restored and turned into an Airbnb—to chat with someone in her world, whether it’s a celebrity, her childhood bestie, or someone she just met along the way or maybe even YOU. No matter who she’s calling, the focus is always the same: celebrating the power of friendship and connection. Every episode kicks off with a ring-ring and drops you into a real-life conversations between friends. These aren’t interviews with hot takes or polished soundbites—just raw, funny, heartfelt, deeply human chats between people who genuinely know and care about each other. From lifelong friendships to surprise connections, everyday legends to familiar names, Call Me Friend is a front-row seat to how beautiful, messy, and meaningful friendships can be. This show is for anyone craving more depth, more heart, and more of the good stuff that makes life not just bearable—but beautiful. It’s a cozy corner of the podcast world where emotional wellness, storytelling, and humor live in harmony. Whether you’re looking for comfort, relatable stories, or a pick-me-up on a hard day, this podcast is for you, yes YOU. Expect wild stories, sweet memories, laugh-out-loud moments, and those quiet “Yeah… me too” pauses that make you feel truly seen. Fun segments like “You Gotta Meet My Friend” spotlight special guests introducing someone they love, while “Call Me, Friend” invites listeners to write in with questions and stories. And the “Friend Questionnaire” keeps things surprising, uncovering the quirks and connections that make every friendship unique. What makes Call Me Friend stand out? This show isn’t about networking or hustle. It’s not self-help. It’s heart-help. Because friendship isn’t just background noise—it’s the main character. If you’ve ever found joy, comfort, or healing through a friend—or just needed someone to say, “I get it”—this is your space. Call Me Friend is more than a podcast. It’s a weekly call you can count on. A soft place to land. A reminder that even when life feels messy, everything gets better when you talk to a friend. If you love heartfelt conversations, personal stories, and a little laughter with your life lessons, this is the one you’ve been waiting for. So whether you're commuting, folding laundry, walking the dog, or just trying to quiet your mind—remember this: you’re not alone. Someone out there gets it. Someone out there would totally take your call. Go ahead, pick up the phone. Let’s laugh. Let’s cry. Let’s Call a Friend. About the Host: Daryn Kagan is a former CNN anchor turned full-time storyteller. After leaving the fast-paced world of network news, she built a life rooted in purpose, connection, and authenticity. Now living on the quiet Georgia coast, Daryn records Call Me Friend from Ms. Lou’s Cabin, a restored 50-year-old log home turned Airbnb. From there she runs the nationwide Just One More Foundation giving grants for second chances. A wife, mom, dog mama, and connection junkie, Daryn’s superpower is bringing people together—and her gift for real conversation is what makes this podcast feel like catching up with your favorite friend. Just One More Foundation : a href="https://www.justonemorefoundation.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    4 min
  7. Behind the Savannah Bananas: Co-Founder Emily Cole on Family, Foster Care, and the Conversation That Changed Everything

    12/17/2025

    Behind the Savannah Bananas: Co-Founder Emily Cole on Family, Foster Care, and the Conversation That Changed Everything

    What if the most heart hitting story connected to the Savannah Bananas had nothing to do with baseball, trick plays, or viral hijinks, but everything to do with family and purpose? In this friendship podcast conversation, Daryn sits down with co-owner Emily Cole to uncover the behind the scenes truth that shaped the Savannah Bananas brand from the inside out. This episode pulls you straight into the real life story of how Emily and Jesse Cole built an entertainment empire while quietly growing their family through bio, foster, and adoption and why that journey inspired Bananas Foster, the foundation at the heart of their mission. Packed with emotion, connection, and pure Savannah Bananas energy, this is the conversation that shows the world what the Savannah Bananas stand for when the cameras aren’t rolling. This is a conversation about family, community, and the powerful ways one act of love can ripple into something bigger than you ever imagined. In This Episode You Will Learn✅How Emily and Jesse built the Savannah Bananas brand on joy, connection, and conversation ✅ Why foster care became the unexpected doorway to their family growing in the most beautiful way ✅ The mission behind Bananas Foster and how they use their platform to celebrate foster families ✅What it means to parent through uncertainty and still choose love anyway Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/ Key Timestamps (00:00) Emily talks about family, growth, and using their platform for good(02:06) The Savannah Bananas phenomenon and inviting Emily onto the podcast (06:00) Emily and Jesse Coles meeting story and their early days in baseball(10:25) Launching the Savannah Bananas the same week they married(11:05) Their first child and the conversation that led them toward foster care(12:23) Emily’s deep research into adoption and discovering foster care(13:53) Getting licensed during COVID and welcoming their first placement(15:31) A weekend placement that became their second adopted daughter(17:01) The book that shifted Emily’s mindset: Everything Is Figureoutable(21:00) Why kids, not parents, deserve the biggest celebration(24:21) The reality of modern families and shifting norms(27:01) Creating Bananas Foster and celebrating foster families publicly(29:04) The powerful third-inning moment at Bananas games(31:23) Navigating identity protection and diverse family storie(32:47) Their audacious goal: turn a 400k-kid waitlist into a waitlist of foster families(35:00) Emily Cole shares why Jesse Cole is the friend who changed her life.(36:10) Emily Cole reflects on the qualities Jesse Cole saw in her early on.(37:10) Daryn asks what Emily is loving right now; she talks homeschooling.(38:56) Emily shares her favorite kids’ learning tool, the Yoto.(39:12) They talk about screen-free learning and how kids absorb so much through listening.(40:12) Emily expresses gratitude and they reflect on how meaningful it is when someone gives back to her for a change.(42:10) Daryn shares her personal takeaway about how connection, support, and perspective can shift everything and introduces her daughter Nicole “Ro” Felton(42:25) She reflects on how Emily’s story mirrors her own family journey and why these conversations matter so much.(44:37) Ro jokes about the Bananas Foster dessert, adding fun Savannah Bananas energy.(47:29) Ro...

    57 min
  8. Love, Personal Loss, and 9/11: Former CNN Anchor Carol Lin's Story the Network Never Showed You

    12/10/2025

    Love, Personal Loss, and 9/11: Former CNN Anchor Carol Lin's Story the Network Never Showed You

    When the world stopped on 9/11, millions saw Carol Lin on their screens… but no one saw what she was surviving off camera. In this gripping Call Me Friend conversation, Daryn reconnects with her former CNN colleague to uncover the truth behind Carol’s marriage, motherhood, identity, grief, and the hidden story behind her memoir, When News Breaks. Carol Lin opens up about the pressure of broadcast news, the unraveling of her marriage, the devastating loss of her husband shortly after their daughter was born, and how motherhood, identity, and grief collided during the most public chapter of her career. This emotional episode explores love, personal loss, friendship, and the resilience it takes to rebuild your life when everything breaks at once. What You Will Learn In This Episode ✅ How Carol Lin navigated CNN, motherhood, and grief ✅ What viewers never saw during 9/11 coverage ✅ Why writing a memoir helped her reclaim her identity ✅ How personal loss transforms love, friendship, and purpose Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/ Timestamps 00:00 The untold truth behind Carol Lin’s story of love and loss00:35 Daryn introduces Carol and their shared CNN history 01:24 Being on air together during 9/1102:40 The unraveling of Carol’s marriage in the midst of her rising career03:23 Losing her husband and navigating early motherhood04:02 Why she wrote her memoir When News Breaks06:03 Growing up as the daughter of Chinese immigrants07:47 Misconceptions about Carol during her CNN years09:02 The ethics of telling stories that involve the people we love11:33 Motherhood, grief, and redefining her identity 13:10 What love required inside a pressured broadcast career16:00 The newsroom culture viewers never see18:45 Carol’s unforgettable Mommy and Me moment25:40 Reconnecting and finally understanding each other29:56 The universal question: how did we not know?34:18 Reconnecting with old colleagues through writing36:00 “How did I not know?” Themes from the memoir42:30 Carol and Daryn talk about love, timing, and meeting their partners43:31 Getting ready for love and doing the inner work48:55 The Mommy and Me class moment that broke the room49:59 The silence after she told them her husband died50:24 Carol grabs the diaper bag and escapes the room Key Takeaways🔹 Grief transforms identity, shaping the way we love and show up in the world. 🔹 Behind every CNN anchor is a deeply human story full of resilience and contradiction. 🔹 Memoirs help reveal the truth behind public personas and private pain. 🔹 Friendship becomes essential when life, career, and identity collide. Resources"When News Breaks": https://amzn.to/4piqQlXEp 1 From TV Fame to Rock Bottom https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Ks8ad3T3BtPBawna9OfwU?si=d2e163bf997847cdPowered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabinSign up for our newsletter: a href="https://darynkagan.substack.com/" rel="noopener...

    1h 6m
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Trailer

5
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Who do you call when life gets real? When the good news hits, the heartbreak lands, or you're just having one of those days—you call a friend. That’s the heartbeat of Call Me Friend—a feel good biweekly podcast that drops you into the kind of conversations that remind us who we are, where we belong, and why friendship matters. Hosted by former network news anchor, wife, mom, and Airbnb host Daryn Kagan, Call Me Friend is your weekly reminder of the joy, laughter, and healing that come with connection. Each week, Daryn picks up the phone from Ms. Lou’s Cabin—a 50-year-old log home she and her husband lovingly restored and turned into an Airbnb—to chat with someone in her world, whether it’s a celebrity, her childhood bestie, or someone she just met along the way or maybe even YOU. No matter who she’s calling, the focus is always the same: celebrating the power of friendship and connection. Every episode kicks off with a ring-ring and drops you into a real-life conversations between friends. These aren’t interviews with hot takes or polished soundbites—just raw, funny, heartfelt, deeply human chats between people who genuinely know and care about each other. From lifelong friendships to surprise connections, everyday legends to familiar names, Call Me Friend is a front-row seat to how beautiful, messy, and meaningful friendships can be. This show is for anyone craving more depth, more heart, and more of the good stuff that makes life not just bearable—but beautiful. It’s a cozy corner of the podcast world where emotional wellness, storytelling, and humor live in harmony. Whether you’re looking for comfort, relatable stories, or a pick-me-up on a hard day, this podcast is for you, yes YOU. Expect wild stories, sweet memories, laugh-out-loud moments, and those quiet “Yeah… me too” pauses that make you feel truly seen. Fun segments like “You Gotta Meet My Friend” spotlight special guests introducing someone they love, while “Call Me, Friend” invites listeners to write in with questions and stories. And the “Friend Questionnaire” keeps things surprising, uncovering the quirks and connections that make every friendship unique. What makes Call Me Friend stand out? This show isn’t about networking or hustle. It’s not self-help. It’s heart-help. Because friendship isn’t just background noise—it’s the main character. If you’ve ever found joy, comfort, or healing through a friend—or just needed someone to say, “I get it”—this is your space. Call Me Friend is more than a podcast. It’s a weekly call you can count on. A soft place to land. A reminder that even when life feels messy, everything gets better when you talk to a friend. If you love heartfelt conversations, personal stories, and a little laughter with your life lessons, this is the one you’ve been waiting for. So whether you're commuting, folding laundry, walking the dog, or just trying to quiet your mind—remember this: you’re not alone. Someone out there gets it. Someone out there would totally take your call. Go ahead, pick up the phone. Let’s laugh. Let’s cry. Let’s Call a Friend. About the Host: Daryn Kagan is a former CNN anchor turned full-time storyteller. After leaving the fast-paced world of network news, she built a life rooted in purpose, connection, and authenticity. Now living on the quiet Georgia coast, Daryn records Call Me Friend from Ms. Lou’s Cabin, a restored 50-year-old log home turned Airbnb. From there she runs the nationwide Just One More Foundation giving grants for second chances. A wife, mom, dog mama, and connection junkie, Daryn’s superpower is bringing people together—and her gift for real conversation is what makes this podcast feel like catching up with your favorite friend. Just One More Foundation : https://www.justonemorefoundation.org/ Instagram: Call Me Friend Instagram: Daryn Kagan Facebook: Daryn Kagan Website: https://darynkagan.com/ LinkedIn :

Information

  • Creator
    Daryn Kagan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Daryn Kagan
  • Show Website
    Call Me Friend