Making waves with an Olympian surfing star - Jane’s guest today is the amazing Caroline Marks who, at 19, is the youngest surfer to ever qualify for the women’s championship tour. She also made her Olympic debut in Tokyo this year, coming in an impressive fourth after powerhouse performances throughout the week. Caroline is fierce and fearless. And on this segment she will share the secrets to her success both on the waves and off. Indeed, listeners will learn about her rigorous training regimen, her diet, and the motivational self-talk that keeps her prepared and centered. She also lovingly speaks of her family and the admiration and inspiration from her brothers that always encourages her to stay on top of her game. Hear, too, about the perils of her sport and the size of the crests she must navigate as she seamlessly glides her board across them. Additionally, for Caroline, given that she is surfing twice a day in the bright sun and tumultuous salt water, protecting her vision against pterygium (i.e., surfer's eye) and taking care of her overall eye health is a top priority. That is why she has partnered with the American Optometric Association on their Eye Deserve More campaign. Caroline and AOA want us all to know that every American should include a regular, in-person comprehensive eye care exam from a Doctor of Optometry as part of their overall well-being regimen.

Elizabeth Vargas on achieving lasting sobriety - Jane’s guest today is broadcasting icon Elizabeth Vargas, the embodiment of all the qualities one would expect from an Emmy-award winning television journalist, anchor, reporter and author. But beyond the globe-trotting stories of major events and personalities, Elizabeth, a voice of truth and reason, tells her own inspirational story in the best-selling Between Breaths: A Memoir of Panic and Addiction. Indeed, she overcame her own struggles with alcoholism and now works to increase awareness, empathy, and access to resources with the aim of ending addiction in America. To that end, she is on the board of Partnership to End Addiction, a nonprofit that is transforming how our nation addresses addiction, and the host of its popular Heart of the Matter podcast. On Jane’s show today, listeners will learn about Elizabeth’s personal journey to recovery, her health and wellness tips and tools for managing stress and anxiety, her most effective mantras, the importance of gratitude and meditation, and the open and honest conversations she has had with her teenage sons about addiction. Hearing Elizabeth’s blueprint for living a sober life will help us all feel Better Than Before, physically, mentally and spiritually.

Jane’s guest today is the multi-talented Ciara, a Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, who has sold over 45-million records here and worldwide and whose videos have been viewed over two billion times. In addition, she has starred in both film and television and launched Beauty Marks Entertainment (BME) as a platform for her music, media, film, fashion, philanthropy, technology, and entrepreneurial pursuits. Ciara, happily married to Russell Wilson, the Seattle Seahawks superstar quarterback, and the mother of three young children, has also partnered in a new campaign, Cerving Confidence, a collaboration between the Black Women’s Health Imperative and Project Health Equality, that promotes women finding power in taking care of themselves and their cervical health. On this segment, Ciara will share her beauty, health and wellness tips, as well as the secret to her successful marriage and how she maintains her resilience and self esteem. Listeners will also learn about her important campaign that urges all women to regularly screen for cervical cancer with the Pap test or the Pap & HPV test as the most effective ways to prevent or detect the disease. While we may not all be as stunning and successful as Ciara, we can certainly learn from her sound and sensible advice that will help us look and feel Better Than Before.

Jordana Brewster on the importance of giving back - Jane’s guest today is the beautiful and highly accomplished Jordana Brewster, whose enormous talent, intelligence—she’s a Yale graduate after all—and natural screen presence have etched her a permanent place in Hollywood in both film and television. Indeed, Jordana is an original cast member of the Fast & Furious franchise at Universal, starring in the role of the dynamic Mia Toretto. In fact, her Fast & Furious 7 smashed every box office record, making it Universal's biggest blockbuster series of all time. And she’ll next be seen in Fast & Furious 9, which will be released this summer. Acting accolades and countless starring roles aside, Jordana is also the mother of two young boys, who she is already indoctrinating with her powerful sense of the importance of giving to those less fortunate, especially in these difficult times. Jordana herself has joined forces with Walgreens on their Red Nose Day initiative. Each year, through the sale of Red Nose Day merchandise and soliciting cash donations, Walgreens, in partnership with supporting vendors and the generosity of their customers, raises funds for nutritious meals, essential medicine, shelter and other vital aid and education-based services that have positively impacted the lives of children in need across America and around the world. In this episode, she talks with Jane about the campaign, as well as shares her beauty, health and fitness secrets. Hear, too, the mantra she lives by every day and her belief in resiliency through all challenges. All in all, learn the multi-pronged approach, courtesy of Jordana, to becoming Better Than Before.

Speaking health with the star of Bob Hearts Abishola - Jane’s special guest today is the multi-talented television, movie and stand-up comedy star Billy Gardell. Aside from movies such as Avenging Angelo, Bad Santa, You, Me & Dupree and powerhouse comedy specials, we all know Billy from, among other blockbuster hits, My Name is Earl and his breakout role on the Emmy award winning Mike & Molly with Melissa McCarthy. He currently stars in the Emmy nominated Bob Hearts Abishola, which has just been renewed for another season. The series is about Billy’s character, Bob Wheeler, having a heart attack and falling in love with his nurse Abishola, a Nigerian immigrant. The message, which has resonated with viewers nationwide, is heartwarming: If you are lucky enough to find someone you fall for and they fall back for you, size, shape and color doesn’t matter. In real life, however, it isn’t Billy’s heart that’s an issue, it’s his Type 2 diabetes. To that end, on this segment he and Jane not only talk about his stellar career but also his partnership with Novo Nordisk on the revolutionary “My Type 2 Transformation” campaign. Indeed, it is through Billy’s personal adherence to this innovative yet practical program that he has learned to manage his own Type 2 diabetes by prioritizing his diet and lifestyle, enabling him to look slimmer and trimmer and feel Better Than Before.

Skeery Jones, Jane’s special guest, is not only an on-air personality on iHeartRadio’s super popular Elvis Duran Show, which broadcasts live each day on Z100, he is also the Executive Producer. And he does so much more. He is also the co-host of the weekly Brooklyn Boys podcast that was nominated—and won 2nd place—for Best Comedy Podcast at this year’s iHeartRadio's Podcast Awards. There is, however, a serious side to the multi-talented Skeery, and that is his involvement with Novartis and the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) community. Indeed, last month Skeery was the host of A Night for MS Awareness, a virtual event on iHeartRadio that celebrated the resilient spirit of those living with MS. To that end, iHeartRadio and Novartis continue this mission by recently launching a new platform—MS Vibes—which is the first and only free, on-demand streaming station that, through music and the MS Journey podcast, is designed to uplift and recharge those impacted by MS, and serve as a place of empowerment, learning and understanding. In this episode, Skeery discusses how he started in radio, how he works hard to make his life hassle, drama and worry free. Furthermore, he talks about the effect of MS on his loved ones and shares his tips and tools on how those experiencing any life-altering event can still learn to live Better Than Before.

An inspirational talk with Mallika Chopra - Jane’s very special guest today is media entrepreneur, best-selling author and world-renowned public speaker Mallika Chopra. In addition to all of her own remarkable and extensive achievements, Mallika has joined with her legendary father, Deepak Chopra, and also extremely accomplished brother, Gotham, to found the YouTube channel The Chopra Well, to provide fun yet thought-provoking videos about healthy living, wellness, and spirituality. But most important for her, she is a mom of two teenage daughters, Tara and Leela. To that end, among her blogs and many books, including the recent Living With Intent: My Somewhat Messy Journey to Purpose, Peace and Joy, is her "Just Be" series—Just Breathe, Just Feel, as well as her latest, Just Be You, which she and Jane will talk about in this segment. Mallika will also discuss what it was like growing up as the daughter of Deepak, the four questions he asked her to explore which became the basis of her new book, and how meditation changed all their lives. She also leads listeners through a breathing exercise which will achieve calmness and serenity, even in the face of uncertainly and stress. In all, Mallika’s books and advice provide simple steps to understand and support social and emotional intelligence, resilience, meditation, mindfulness, purpose, balance and self-reflection. And we can certainly use every one of those disciplines on our journey to feeling Better than Before, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Dr. Drew on feeling Better Than Before after COVID - Jane’s guest today is the world-renowned internist and addiction specialist, best-selling author, and prolific television, radio and podcasting host, Dr. Drew Pinsky. Dr. Drew, who has appeared on virtually every national and cable network, and hosted such award-winning shows as Loveline, Dr. Drew On Call, Lifechangers, Celebrity Rehab with Dr Drew, The Dr. Drew Podcast, This Life with Dr. Drew, and the digital #AskDrDrew and Dose of Dr. Drew, has informed and inspired generations of patients and devoted fans alike for decades. On this segment, Dr. Drew discusses, among other topics, his fascinating career and how COVID-19 has impacted addiction in general and his own personal experience with recovering from the virus and its lingering aftereffects. To that end, he also shares advice for how listeners can restart their lives, even during the pandemic, and use the time wisely to better themselves. Furthermore, Dr. Drew talks about his personal health and wellness regime and why he chose to get involved with Aditext and AditexScore, a revolutionary new technology which provides a personalized comprehensive profile of our immune systems and how it responds to various diseases and therapies.

Jane’s special guest today is Karamo Brown, the trusted culture expert on the Netflix hit series Queer Eye, whose accolades, besides reality TV star, also include best-selling author, host, activist, producer, Dancing with the Stars contestant, and devoted dad. Karamo lives his life for others and gives much of his time to charities, politics and non-profits. Beloved by millions of fans, in these stressful times, Karamo has become a guiding light to those seeking ways to find happiness and emotional well-being, positive energy and increased self-esteem. On this episode, Karamo will discuss, among other important topics, the evolution of his career and reality shows in general, starting with his role on The Real World Philadelphia, how he prepares himself for intense interventions on Queer Eye and, as an expert in empathy, how he connects so deeply and wholeheartedly with people across all divides and how we, too, can be more empathetic to others. Learn how he encourages everyone to stay focused on their unique style, unique needs, and unique journey; and about his belief that comparison is the thief of joy. Furthermore, he shares the secrets to his flawless complexion and tips and tools on staying calm and centered. He also talks about his long time struggles with migraines and, to that end, his involvement with the Know Migraine Mission Initiative sponsored by Novartis that helps those who suffer from this debilitating condition, as well as anyone who wants to assist friends and loved ones who may experience them. All in all, listeners will be inspired by Karamo’s unstoppable energy, innate caregiver persona and heightened social awareness that will help them all lead lives that are Better Than Before.

During these challenging months when we spend so much time sheltering in place, many of us are taking the time to learn new skills. And Lidia Bastianich, Jane’s very special guest today, is uniquely suited to share the secrets of her years of success as the paragon of Italian-American cuisine. Indeed, Lidia is a world-renowned celebrity chef as well as an Emmy award-winning television host of a plethora of cooking shows on PBS and best-selling author of 13 books, her most recent additions being a memoir, My American Dream, A Life of Love, Family and Food, and a new cookbook Felidia, named for one of her landmark Manhattan restaurants. In fact, Lidia runs several super successful Italian restaurants including Felidia, Del Posto and Becco, is a partner in the epicurean empire Eataly and has also created a line of namesake pastas and sauces. On this segment, Lidia and Jane discuss how anyone can master the art of cooking, the importance of eating well, her family, her heartwarming personal history and how she came to appreciate our nation's diversity though culture, tradition and food. She also shares her favorite mantras and secrets for longevity, good health and well-being. The episode also features Lidia's discussion of her newest show which premiers on PBS on January 29th at 9:00 pm ET. In this groundbreaking series, Lidia celebrates America: A salute to First Responders, she spends virtual time with heroes on the front lines. Uniquely suited to the times, it is a show that highlights the moving stories of medical workers, firefighters battling wild fires in California, paramedics, military, and police, who have become so crucial in our lives today. Check your local PBS listings for show dates and times.