Wide Open with Ashlyn Harris

Wide Open with Ashlyn Harris

“Wide Open with Ashlyn Harris” invites guests and listeners alike to open up, share their struggles and triumphs, and explore how being wide open—both on the field and in life—leads to personal and professional growth. Each episode, Ashlyn Harris leads an unfiltered conversation with an influential figure from sports, entertainment, fashion, music, or politics. In sports, “wide open” signifies a moment of readiness, awareness, and opportunity to make an impact. In the real world, it reflects vulnerability, honesty, and courage to face challenges with authenticity. On this podcast, “wide open” means seizing opportunities, breaking down barriers, and embracing one’s true self.

Episodes

June 16, 2025 55 mins

In this episode, Ashlyn sits down with poet, comedian, and inspiring public speaker, Alok Vaid-Menon. Ashlyn and Alok jump straight into a complex discussion about what it’s like to exist as a queer person in the present cultural and political climate. From Alok’s experience growing up queer in Texas, to finding heaven in queer spaces, to performing their work in places not considered queer friendly, the conversation le...

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In this episode, Ashlyn sits down with President of the Human Right Campaign (and friend for life), Kelley Robinson. They talk about Kelley’s secret past as an MMA fighter, organizing the big campaigns to be able to enjoy the small moments, and how to celebrate loudly and proudly this Pride– even when the climate tries to tell us “no.”

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In this episode, Ashlyn sits down with internet icon Shannon Beveridge to talk about the highs and lows of growing up online. She opens up about what past relationships have taught her, how she's navigated vulnerability in the public eye, and why authentic queer representation still matters. The two talk about identity, growth, and staying grounded while sharing your life with the world.

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“Consciousness explorer” Deepak Chopra and CEO of The Chopra Foundation, Poonacha Machaiah want to use technology for good. In this episode, the two discuss their new venture, DeepakChopra.ai, which distills all of Deepak’s wisdom onto a platform that people can interact with to seek personal and spiritual growth. The two tell Ashlyn why they decided to work with, not against, AI and Deepak takes us through his pa...

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In this episode, Ashlyn sits down and turns the mic on her friend, journalist and trailblazer Cari Champion for a candid conversation about carving out space for vulnerability, navigating the demands of a high-profile career, and her mission to amplify the voices of Black women. Cari shares the importance of self belief and representation in a world that often overlooks the power and resilience of marginalized communities.

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Ashlyn sits down with soccer legend Briana Scurry for a conversation on the realities of what mental health looks like off the field. From Olympian to ‘99er and beyond, Briana has been an advocate for marginalized groups her whole life– even after a shock concussion ended her season, and her career. She talks to Ashlyn about the long journey back to finding herself, and the monumental success she’s had along the w...

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In this episode, Ashlyn talks to organizational psychologist, author, and “Mr. Facts” himself, Adam Grant. From topping bestseller charts, to getting cut from his middle school soccer team, Adam’s gotten to know the ins and outs of why we tick the way we tick. He and Ashlyn talk about the difference between getting it right and being right and hyping up your past self – and digress into talking about high sc...

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In this episode, Ashlyn talks to the GWOAT herself: boxer Claressa Shields. Besides holding two Olympic gold medals, Claressa is the only boxer in history to hold all four major world boxing titles in three weight classes. But growing up in Flint, Michigan, all odds were against her success. Claressa tells Ashlyn how she persevered, a story so moving that it was turned into the 2024 film, The Fire Inside.

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In today’s episode, Ashlyn talks shop with multi-media journalist, host, and women’s sports and culture amplifier Arielle Chambers. The two bond over their shared love of North Carolina and the power of telling women’s stories. Ari explains what it was like to grow up next to the game, and what made her realize she needed to stay.

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Ashlyn sits down with actress Skye Marshall just in time for the finale of her Critics’ Choice-nominated turn in CBS’ “Matlock.” Skye gets candid, sharing the life experiences that built her career— from prom queen to boot camp, vision boards to farting crystals— and the constants we’ll carry with us forever: moms, dreams, and memories.

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Ashlyn sits down with Samantha Barry, Global Editorial Director and Editor-in-Chief of Glamour Magazine. From the highs and lows of reporting in Papua New Guinea, to secret Santa suits and embracing the vulnerability that allows us to ask the questions we need to answer, Sam and Ashlyn discuss how where you come from never really leaves you– no matter how far from home you get.

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In this episode, Ashlyn manages to wrangle the ever-busy, ever-industrious Billie Jean King for a chat. The two reminisce about their early sports days and how athletics shaped them into the people they are today. Billie paints a picture of the pre-Title IX world and the many decades of hard work she’s put in to change the landscape of women’s sports. Plus, we hear about Billie’s ongoing relationship with her body...

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The loud, authentic, and delightful Carolyn Wiger gets vulnerable with Ashlyn this week. Coming off of her iconic run on season three of The Traitors, Carolyn shares a side of herself that audiences didn’t see on camera. She tells Ashlyn about her history with drug and alcohol addiction and why finding her true self was a huge part of getting sober. They also discuss why it was important to Carolyn to bring that unapologetic ...

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Ashlyn catches Flau’jae Johnson– the 21-year-old LSU Tigers star, rapper, and all around business woman– on her way back from basketball practice. Flau’jae gets real about growing up watching her mom fight hard against the grain, making her own way as a rapper and an athlete, and making a life for herself and her family at such a young age. She and Ashlyn talk Momagers, being exceptional, and doing everythin...

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In this episode, Ashlyn gets deep with RaeShanda Lias, a Kentucky-based fashion entrepreneur, content creator, and author. RaeShanda talks about her winding journey to success and how traumatic experiences built her into the woman, business owner, and mother she is today. Ashlyn and RaeShanda reflect on the joys and challenges of motherhood, the complexities of being queer, and living out divorces in the public eye.

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Ashlyn talks to Blakely Thornton—famed Scorpio and pop culture anthropologist. Together, they dissect homophobic homoerotic spaces, standing ten toes down on the internet, and being proud aunts to A-list celebrities. From Blakely’s past as a closeted college football player, to his current career on TikTok, TV, and beyond, they get honest about seeing past peoples’ false fronts and getting to the heart of what you...

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Ashlyn talks to international fitness evangelist and motivational coach Angela Manuel-Davis. Angela is about to release an album of her motivational speeches set to beats, but until then she tells Ashlyn about the moments in her life that taught her how powerful she really is. Angela talks about what she learned from her father who was a professional athlete and coach, how she erased the shame of getting divorced at an early age, a...

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In today’s episode, Ashlyn talks to relationship coach, teacher, podcaster, and writer Jillian Turecki about her new book It Begins With YOU. Jillian breaks down the nine hard truths about love that form the backbone of her practice and breaks down her own life story as it relates to her work. The two chat about prioritizing their own needs, finding empathy in their relationships, and evolving to be the best version of themse...

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February 10, 2025 58 mins

Ashlyn catches up with journalist, artist, author, and long time friend Brooke Baldwin. They talk about the mental health journey Brooke went on after leaving her job as an anchor at CNN and separating from her ex-husband. Brooke discusses the steps she took to get back to what she really loved after years of deprioritizing her own wants and needs.

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Ashlyn sits down with reality TV personality, former pro football player, and good friend, Colton Underwood. Colton surprised audiences in 2021 when he came out as gay after appearing on three seasons of The Bachelor. With Ashlyn, he talks through the process of accepting his sexuality, from being a closeted football player in locker rooms, to trying to find a wife on national television, to eventually choosing a better life and op...

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Ashlyn Harris

Ashlyn Harris

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