Keeping up with Kennedy: Recent Episodes
Kennedy Williams
This podcast was made to create an open space to share my voice with the world for hilarious stories, relevant/diverse content, and honest conversations without fear of judgment in a platform that can promote my mission, vision and goals. Contact me on my website (keepingupwithkennedy.org) for any and all questions, comments and concerns. Hope you enjoy! All thoughts and information provided are my personal opinions. None of my content or thoughts are affiliated with any institution, business or organization.
While I take a rest break after a working vacation in southern California last weekend, I am throwing it back to last season's deep dive into the unconscious mind this week. I learned so much while I was researching this topic and I hope you take something away from this episode as well :)
SOURCES
Before You Know It – the Unconscious Reasons We Do What We Do by John Bargh, PhD
Mind Games: Interesting facts about the subconscious mind
Rising levels of depression, anxiety, stress and burnout (among other things) are leading an epidemic of healthcare professionals to leave their careers behind. My friend Spencer Wingate, a seasoned physical therapist from Atlanta, is here with us this week to discuss why this is happening and what we can do about it. His story of resilience to overcome all things in life through humanity’s gift of the “irrevocable seed of greatness” is sure to inspire you to greater heights not only in your career, but much more importantly in your life as a whole.
While challenging you all to be consistent in your goals, I bittersweetly announce that we will be on a 5-week hiatus from new episodes. The next new episode as well as my new website will be live on Monday, June 10th! Talk with you soon xoxo
This week, Jaelin Goldsmith helps us trace rap beef back to its roots and then up to where we're at in the present day with Kendrick Lamar, Drake and all the others in the industry trying to get in on the action. We also talk about burning mixtapes back in our prime, the rise of AI in rap and what that means for the future of the game.
Neuralink, CO2-removing cars, climate change – what’s going on out here? Today we trace the history of Earth Day back to its roots. We then take a brief look at the scientific state of the earth, followed by an assessment of Earth’s current events and trends. Happy Earth Day!
SOURCES
Earth Day 2024 Action Toolkit
Up First Podcast by NPR
The Daily Podcast by The New York Times
Earth Day 2024 Theme: Planet vs. Plastics
History of Earth Day
NASA’s Scientific Consensus on Climate Change
Ice age climate analysis reduces worst-case warming expected from rising CO2 from the University of Washington
Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About The World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling
The Good News Hub
As today is my last day being 26 years old, I’m giving you all 26 lessons I learned throughout the roller coaster of this past year of my life today. So please buckle up and keep all arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times. This may be a bumpy ride! See you at 27!
SOURCES
Hannah Montana Music Video
Quality Bonus Music Video with Lyrics
This week I'm checking in with you guys to see what you're liking and what you're not-so-liking about the podcast so far. Please contact me via Instagram direct message @keepitrealwithken with any and all feedback. I'd love to hear from you! We also have 5 fun facts to get you through your work week in this week's short episode. Hope to connect with you soon :)
SOURCES
Head-banging snakes may predict quakes by Reuters
Origin of the name “Google” by David Koller
Why it’s impossible to hum while holding your nose by Richard Milner
Portmanteau definition
Sam Panopoulos, Canadian inventor of Hawaiian pizza, dies at 82 by Marlene Habib
Learn how to best inconvenience your friends, family, neighbors and colleagues all in the name of good fun on this week’s episode. I begin by reporting on the mysterious history of April Fool’s Day. Then, a special guest enters the chat and gives us his personal top 3 best pranks of all time as well as some of his best April Fool’s Day Dad Jokes. Happy fooling!
SOURCES
April Fool’s: The Roots of an International Tradition
Taking a deep dive into the unconscious mind, topics this week include early childhood amnesia, new unconscious psychological treatments for racism and alcoholism, the reconstruction of conscious memories, in-group bias and how that affects the diversity of the modern world, the weather's unconscious influence on us, trusting your gut, the relative nature of reality, Michael Jordan's instincts, the unconscious mind's influence on sleep, and more. If you're interested in learning how to unlock more of your brain power, you've come to the right place!
SOURCES
Before You Know It – the Unconscious Reasons We Do What We Do by John Bargh, PhD
Mind Games: Interesting facts about the subconscious mind
This week, we sit down with Glenda Holcomb to discuss all things travel, culture, and most importantly – food. I also reflect on my Irish Heritage in honor of St. Patrick’s Day and we get a new fun fact of the week about “super tasters”. See you next Monday!
This week we reveal some of the hidden truths behind American healthcare, insurance, and why the heck everything costs so much in this country. Through a book club style discussion about “The Price We Pay: What Broke American Health Care – And How to Fix It” by Marty Makary, MD, special guest Denise Holley and I work to provide you with education, resources, tips and tricks about how to navigate the system as a consumer. Enjoy!!
Sources:
The Price We Pay: What Broke American Health Care – And How to Fix It by Marty Makary, MD
The Surgery Center of Oklahoma: example of transparent pricing
The Impact of Price Transparency for Surgical Services (Mehta et al. 2018)
The FTC Funeral Rule and Your Rights
Restoring Medicine.org: resources for all
Sentinel Air Medical Alliance: fair helicopter life flight prices
Choosing Wisely: consensus about overtreatment
One Medical (previously Iora Health)
Health Rosetta: FREE open-source insurance broker advice for employers
(No) Effect of a Workplace Wellness Program on Employee Health and Economic Outcomes (Song and Baiker 2019)
Other Resources:
BrokenHealthcare.org
Healthcare Bluebook: shop for health services with price transparency
Florida Health Price Finder
The CEO’s Guide to Restoring the American Dream: How to Deliver World Class Healthcare to your Employees at Half the Cost by Dave Chase
Health Warehouse: Online pharmacy with low prices
Good Rx: compare prescription costs
Season 3 debuts with a movie review of “The Social Dilemma” that finally answers the question: Is it all a simulation? We then tackle the topics of poverty levels, reputation management on social media, the evolution of humans changing their minds, street epistemology, and the transtheoretical model of behavior change.
SOURCES:
The Social Dilemma
Factfulness by Hans Rosling
How Minds Change by David McRaney
“Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land” by MARINA Music Video
Street Epistemology
Behavioral Change Theories from Boston University
Surprise! I abruptly moved to Idaho a few weeks ago and am spilling all the juicy details. In this week’s episode, we also discuss the topic of effort moralization, finding purpose outside of your career, the new mission statement of Keeping up with Kennedy and sea turtle adoptions from the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Happy Monday, and welcome back friends!
SOURCES:
Journal of Experimental Psychology: The Moralization of Effort
TED Talk by Azim Shariff: “Does Working Hard Really Make You a Good Person?”
In honor of St. Patrick’s day weekend, we begin this week’s episode covering the trending topic of “lucky girl syndrome” and the power of positive thinking. We then celebrate Miley Cyrus’s new album release and get a “Where Are They Now” update on her infamous childhood best friend Lesley. “My Dad the Life Coach” then gives us the notable deaths of the day and teaches us all to live like Saint Patrick. Stay lucky!SOURCESWashington Post: Lucky Girl SyndromeOprah’s use of “The Secret”Miley World credit card exampleBring back the 2nd generation blue iPod Nano for $30Lesley and Miley’s 2017 reunionMiley’s 2019 tweetLesley’s Instagram
This week we are back with new and improved recording equipment and a reflection on nutrition, fad diets, fitness influencers and our nation’s obesity epidemic. We then get an update on Kesha (formerly known as Ke$ha) and her ever-ongoing legal trial with her previous (?) music producer while learning about her ties to Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Paris Hilton and Lorde - all good friends of our podcast. My dad and I then reveal the fun facts of the day and reflect on our wins and losses during this past month’s FebYOUary Challenge.
SOURCES:
U.S. Obesity Rate projections for 2030
Kesha
What Happened to Kesha?
Timeline of the case: Kesha v. Dr. Luke
Demi Lovato Attacks Taylor Swift for supporting Kesha
Kesha teases new music release on IG Live in January 2023
BONUS CONTENT: The Boston Massacre
In an unconventional episode, My Dad the Life Coach joins us LIVE from the Las Vegas Strip to give us his Top 10 Tips for Surviving the Strip. We then introduce the "FebYOUary" Challenge and with it, we sadly announce that we will be off the grid and off the air for the next month while we work on our health and wellness. Stay tuned until the end of this episode for a not so lucky surprise I received that I luckily got recorded while we were cruising the Strip this morning. See you March 6th to share the successes and failures of our journey this month! Stay classy XOXO
This week, we take a deep dive into interdisciplinary chaos theory as we learn about the inner workings of helicopters, tornadoes, butterflies and thermodynamic systems. We then find out how difficult it is to track down our favorite 2013 teen pop sensation “Lorde” these days. After that, my dad gives one of our new listeners some advice on how to get over the guilt of ending a one-sided friendship that has crossed the line into doing more harm than good. This episode is full of inquiries into ourselves and into the universe, sure to please and intrigue your wildest curiosities. Happy Monday friends, thanks for listening!
SOURCES
Spencer’s fun fact
NASA: What is a Helicopter?
How safe is flying in a helicopter?
Nerd option: A comparative statistical analysis of global trends in civil helicopter accidents in the U.S., the EU and the CIS by K Moon and A A Yakovlev
National Geographic: Tornadoes, explained
Tornado reel
How caterpillars gruesomely transform into butterflies
Butterflies: the science behind the colour
Understanding the butterfly effect
Enthalpy and Entropy
New York Times: Lorde’s work here is done. Now, She Vibes.
BONUS CONTENT: What is Chaos Theory?
We begin this week with a brief on-the-road introductory message featuring a mystery guest followed by a “My Dad the Life Coach” question that pertains to a chaotic baby mama, a called-off engagement, and the possibility of hope for the future relationship of two exes. Our “Where Are They Now” update then investigates the whereabouts of one of the greatest flies on the wall of our time, Drew Seeley. I hope you all have the day you deserve out there!
Source: What Happened to Drew Seeley?
This week, we take a journey into the mind of the narcissist through the lens of Taylor Swift’s often rose-colored glasses. We then get a “Where Are They Now”update on our girl Paris Hilton and a “My Dad the Life Coach” segment on New Year’s Resolutions based on our listener Ali’s question that she sent in. Welcome to 2023 friends, it’s time to get to work!
Sources:
Link to Amazon for “The Sociopath Next Door” book by Martha Stout, PhD
Smith and Robinson Article about Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
Taylor Swift “I Did Something Bad” Lyric video
Instagram Reel from @kikiswiftie for Taylor Swift interview
About Paris Hilton
“The Simple Life” TIME Magazine article
About “The Simple Life”
About NFTs
Free Counseling and Therapy Resources
This week, I become your biology professor and give you a lesson in animal behavior on anxiety and altruism. My dad then discusses the pros and cons of renting vs. buying your first home as well as the “urban myths”, tips and tricks that are involved in the process in regards to our listener Sydney's question. Not to be forgotten, we also get an update on Camille Vasquez, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard following their highly publicized defamation trial earlier this year. Happy Monday!
Sources:
https://aqua.org/stories/02-21-2020-are-animals-altruistic#:~:text=Evolutionary%20biologists%20determined%20that%20an,great%20examples%20of%20biological%20altruism.
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-10-24/camille-vasquez-kanye-west-brown-rudnick-lawyer
https://nypost.com/web-stories/who-is-johnny-depps-lawyer-camille-vasquez/
https://nypost.com/2022/10/11/johnny-depp-shocks-fans-with-new-look-but-why-is-he-in-nyc/
https://www.goodto.com/entertainment/where-is-amber-heard-now
This week, my best friend Crystal is back and better than ever to share some laughs and all of her life updates with us. My dad then gives our listener Emma some words of wisdom about following her intuition in his segment. I then go into this week's where are they now followed up by giving ya'll a sneak peek into the recording process with some bloopers at the end of the episode. Hope you enjoy!!
$50 Amazon Gift Card Entry Terms: You must email the codeword you heard in the episode to contact@keepingupwithkennedy.org no later than Saturday at 5:00 PM EST. Any incomplete entries will be considered invalid. Only one entry will be considered per person. The winner will be chosen Sunday night via a virtually randomized program and announced on next week’s episode. Good luck!
Sources: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/28/arts/music/coolio-rapper-dead.html
This week, I detail my journey into and swiftly out of pediatrics as well as where I am today in my career. We then have our first listener call in for our My Dad the Life Coach segment about a problem she is having with a fear of snakes. This is then followed by a Where Are They Now update on Rebecca Black, who gives us our lesson of the week this week. Happy Monday everyone, hope you learn something and enjoy!
After quite the hiatus, I am back and armed with a newly trademarked podcast and receipts consisting of exposed emails and signed contracts to tell the full unedited story of a situation that was largely alluded to this time last year, but was never able to be fully told until today. I caught my first clinical instructor actively violating patient privacy laws for 6 years straight. She then lied to my face, blindsided me with seven "critical incidents" and threw salt in the wounds she gave me on my way out as I left her clinic and blocked her and all her employees for life. You don't want to miss this one. See you next Monday ;)
This week, I begin by wrapping up my 2021 in Miami and reveal whether or not I met the goal that I made for myself early last October of making it to Miley's New Year's Eve party. We then get an update on where I am now while subsequently learning where Jersey Shore's Snooki is now. The first My Dad the Life Coach segment kicks off with several questions from our listeners - if YOU have a question for him that you need answered, DM me on instagram @keepingupwithkennedyann or email contact@keepingupwithkennedy.org with all your inquiries. Our lesson of the week this week then emphasizes the importance of trusting your instincts when presented with a challenging decision. Cheers to 2022!
In this week’s long overdue episode, I finally put together all the content that I collected from Thanksgiving weekend with my parents. This is another on-the-road episode as I take y’all along for the ride with us around Los Angeles! My mom first reflects on her dream to get cooking lessons from Snoop Dogg, Martha Stewart’s criminal past, getting lost trying to find where we parked at Disneyland, as well as the story of 3-year-old me changing my name from Kennedy to Ariel in the customs line trying to get back into the States from the Bahamas while subsequently not letting the girls play with the boys in pre-school. My dad then discusses the story of me dancing with sunglasses on indoors and not one, but two feather boas while I was around the same age as well as how to deal with your boss if she or he is bullying you. Wrapping it up, the where are they now segment this week focuses on the infamous "Laren" of CHD. Merry Christmas everyone and welcome to my favorite week of the year - the infamous week-long holiday hangover between Christmas and New Year's Eve! Cheers!
Heather from PT is BACK this week and taking us on a journey through Kansas "It's not that bad" State, giving us study tips for both the GRE and the NPTE, as well as reflecting on her life experiences all while giving us the advice we didn't know we needed along the way. If you learn one thing from this episode, Always remember - Never be afraid to get out your scissors and cut. them. off! XOXO
For the next two weeks, my girl "Heather from PT" is joining us on the pod to share her story and give us all a set of tools to overcome adversity and achieve our dreams through the example of her resilience. You'll never catch her going down without a fight - and that's one of the things I love the most about her. This week also comes with an update on the infamous Mr. T. Some of my favorite Mr. T quotes include "To have a comeback, you have to have a setback", "It takes a smart man to play dumb", and "Really, you don't lose until you stop trying". I pity the fool who doesn't listen to this week's episode! XOXO
After a quick hiatus last week, we're back with renewed energy and a new vision. This week's episode covers the modern day civil war we are waging against ourselves from the perspective of Honest Abe Lincoln, MARINA's album "Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land", Walt Disney's top 10 quotes, and the answer to why Rihanna stopped the music when she was practically begging us "Please Don't Stop the Music" back in 2007. Welcome to season 3 friends, I'm so happy you're here!
This week, Alex Cooper stole my thunder and took my seasonal ghosting Halloween theme that I had already been planning for you guys this week…But I stole her thunder by having Hannah Berner on a week before she does this coming up Wednesday, so who’s the real winner here? This episode of KUWK provides my reflection on Alex’s most recent episode of Call Her Daddy, the ghosting content that I already had planned myself, a shoutout to Scepter and Sword, the makers of “I, the Queen” wines, as well as an update on our girl "Avril" Lavigne.. Or was it Melissa?. Stay Spooky XOXO
Last night I went to Hannah Berner aka @beingbernz aka the devil of Berning in Hell podcast’s comedy show in Burbank. Turns out she snagged Jay Leno as her opening act and the two of them as well as host Reem Edan and Leno's follow-up act Ali Kolbert did not disappoint. In this episode, I also introduce the first installment of my new “Where Are They Now?” series – updating you on stars that we thought had disappeared, only to find out that they’re somewhere out there in the world with something up their sleeve. If you’re wondering what happened to Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Bynes, Mary Kate & Ashley, Raven-Symoné, or Jon and Kate plus 8, look no further than this podcast for the full update. Cheers! All recordings are posted with permission under the blessing of Hannah Berner
This past weekend I went to the Blended wine, food and music festival in San Diego, CA with my good friends Crystal, Brandi Cyrus, the Chainsmokers, Bryce Vine and Nelly! I have a special guest co-host this week who will explain what went down this weekend better than I can because I’m still not sure if it actually happened… Am I dreaming? Get ready to enter even deeper into the Reputation era of my life. I even got a bedazzled snake ring from the festival as a symbol to call out alllll the snakes that have crossed my path over the past two years… You feel me post-Kanye Taylor Swift cerca 2017? XOXO
In this week’s episode, I begin by reciting some quotations from two of the greatest philosophers of our time - Coolio and Hannah Montana; I then jump into discussing my newest daily inspiration – Serena van der Woodsen. This episode is being published at such another pivotal point in my growth and my life that with it, I have prematurely begun Season 2 of KUWK. Welcome to a new season and chapter of my life. Fasten your seatbelts and put up your tray tables; we’ve hopped on a flight to none other than Shreveport, Louisiana this week. My mom and I flew out to visit her best friend Jennifer from high school at Jennifer’s new house that she just finished. If you’re wondering what the heck goes down in 15,000 square feet of real estate in the middle of nowhere, look no further. Suggested pairings for this episode are the songs 1.) Who’s Laughing Now – Ava Max 2.) i feel bad for you – Hollyn and 3.) This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things – Taylor Swift, along with your favorite glass of red. And maybe a confetti cannon. Love you ALL xoxo
ATTN: MILEY CYRUS & ALEX COOPER: I just moved to southern California and I am dying to see if I can make a little magic happen and manifest meeting one or both of you while I’m down here for the next 3 months! I am a huge fan of both of yours but don’t worry – I’m just an ordinary girl just like you. My biggest goal for the remainder of 2021 is to end the year at Miley’s New Year’s Eve party that I am speculating she will be having. In this episode, I discuss what it means to be a modern-day polymath and call out to the #DADDYGANG to have my back and spread the word on this one. I love you all! Enjoy this short episode! It’s only about 7 minutes long to represent the 7 Things I like about you MILEY! I promise next week I’ll have lots more content to share for a full-length episode from an undisclosed location xoxo
It’s time to wrap up my first of three 12-week clinical rotations with none other than…a rap! Tune in this week as K-Money takes the track and raps her way down to LA. We then have a special improv comedy show for you all this week featuring 3 surprise guests. My dad then takes our dog Lola back home to Seattle to meet her new puppy sister Luna and I am now left to my own devices. This Monday, I am coming to you live alone from my new apartment and ready to turn some dreams into realities. Hopping out of my Nissan with a dream in my cardigan, it’s a Party in the USA! thank u, next
Because I’m getting a lot of new listeners here who may not know me personally, please allow me to introduce myself so that you can fully and properly “keep up” with me. In this week’s episode, I do a quick recap of some of my life and school experiences that have gotten me to where I am today from that fateful day in 1997 when I was brought into this world. I then catch y’all up to speed on where I am now. After that, I dive in head first and discuss my privilege, how it affects me, and how I want to use it for good. Also included are stories about my dog escaping from my work as I’m treating a patient and we find her hanging out with the acupuncturist next door, April Fool’s parties, and I even give all you single ladies a list of a few influential women that I look up to and a little life hack that can fend off any man that you don’t want to talk to. Enjoy!
This week, we are joined by special guest Doctor Andrew Tran, creator of the PhysioMemes empire, as we meet for the first time ever in Seattle at a wedding for two of his friends. Andrew shares with us how he started his business as well as how he wrote and self-published his first book, his favorite vice, Outwitting the Devil, our opinions on Jeff Bezos’ catapult into space, Andrew’s attitude toward mental health, and more. I then take you to the wedding with us as I meet a few new friends. Don’t forget to use my code “kennedy” at checkout at physiomemes.com for 20% off your entire purchase on anything, indefinitely, with no expiration date on my name. I’m timeless! Enjoy!
In this week’s episode, I make my way all the way out to the metropolis of Pendergrass, Georgia for one of my best friend’s weddings! After kicking my trip off with an airport-wide power outage at midnight, I knew I was in for an adventure. I also reflect on my time being locked in a bathroom stall in Argentina, I read a children’s book live for story time, teach my Uber driver how to use AirBnb while driving, try to get my ex-boyfriend back, address my haters – inviting them to join the chat and slide into my DMs, and today we even have our very first ever surprise mystery guest! You don’t want to miss this!! We’re the main character now in full-blown unapologetic Reputation era Taylor Swift. Look What You Made Me Do…Ready For It?
In this episode, I sum up the 2 of the 3 years of graduate school that I have completed so far and lay all of my feelings on the line so that I can properly and in good conscience move on from that place and those people and on to bigger and better things. So what’s coming up next week? Oh that’s a secret I’ll never tell… XOXO See you next Monday!