Podcast Title: The Oprah Podcast
Episode Title: You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast
Release Date: March 27, 2025
Guests: Maria Shriver
Host: Oprah Winfrey

Introduction

In this heartfelt episode of The Oprah Podcast, Oprah Winfrey engages in a profound conversation with her longtime friend, Maria Shriver. Together, they delve into Maria's new poetry book, I Am Maria, exploring themes of heartbreak, healing, and self-discovery. The discussion offers listeners an intimate glimpse into Maria's extraordinary life, her family dynamics, personal challenges, and her journey toward forgiveness and inner peace.

Longstanding Friendship

Oprah Winfrey reflects on her nearly five-decade-long friendship with Maria Shriver, highlighting their shared history and mutual support through life's transitions.

• Oprah (00:00): "We've been friends for 49 years."

• Maria Shriver (04:02): "I think that's one of life's greatest gifts, to have a relationship that stands the test of time."

Maria Shriver’s Background and Achievements

Maria Shriver shares insights about her illustrious family background and her own accomplishments.

• Oprah (00:40): "Maria Shriver has lived an extraordinary life... Her father, Sergeant Shriver, was an American diplomat... Her mother was Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy."

• Maria Shriver (06:35): "I am Maria. It's not my job. I'm my own being."

Maria discusses her roles as a journalist, author, advocate for women's health and Alzheimer's research, former first lady of California, and a grandmother.

Exploration of Identity and Childhood

Maria delves into her upbringing within the prominent Kennedy-Shriver family, shedding light on the challenges of forging her own identity amidst her family's legacy.

• Maria Shriver (05:01): "It's an exploration of my childhood. Who was I? How did I end up in this family?"

• Oprah (05:41): "Because you were a part of the family, America was considered American royalty."

Maria describes her father’s admiration for her mother and the absence of emotional discussions in her household.

• Maria Shriver (12:18): "Nobody talked about love in my house. We were talking about changing the world."

Impact of Family and Loss

Maria reflects on significant family tragedies and their impact on her emotional landscape.

• Maria Shriver (12:38): "Nothing. Nobody picked me up and said, it's going to be okay."

• Oprah (12:48): Discusses the lack of conversations about President Kennedy’s assassination in Maria’s household.

Maria emphasizes the absence of emotional support and open dialogue about grief and loss.

Marriage to Arnold Schwarzenegger and Political Life

Maria recounts her marriage to Arnold Schwarzenegger, their time as first lady of California, and the ensuing political journey.

• Oprah (24:35): "When you met Arnold Schwarzenegger, you were just 21... your family thought it was a passing phase."

Maria explains her initial resistance to politics and how being first lady unexpectedly became a platform for her advocacy.

• Maria Shriver (29:09): "It turned out to be an incredible gift to be the first lady of California... I could speak out on what I wanted to speak."

Divorce and Personal Betrayal

A pivotal moment in the conversation centers on Maria’s divorce from Arnold Schwarzenegger and the emotional turmoil it caused.

• Oprah (31:18): "Your husband had a sexual relationship... a child resulted from that relationship. You were betrayed."

• Maria Shriver (36:17): "In the public square, shame filled my body... I stood... until I thought, no, this is not how it's gonna go."

Maria discusses her path to forgiveness and healing, emphasizing the importance of self-forgiveness as a precursor to forgiving others.

• Maria Shriver (38:24): "Before you can talk about forgiving another person, you have to look at forgiving yourself."

Role as a Mother and Grandmother

Maria shares her approach to motherhood and grandmotherhood, focusing on unconditional love and breaking familial patterns.

• Maria Shriver (42:19): "I wanted them first and foremost to feel loved... that they were loved for who they were, not for what they did."

• Oprah (44:03): "How is being a Mama G different than being a mama?"

Maria highlights her efforts to model a healthy relationship post-divorce for her children.

Healing Through Poetry

Maria introduces her poetry book, I Am Maria, as a medium for exploring and healing from her past traumas.

• Oprah (55:02): "You write, though, in I Am Maria that you sometimes still struggle to be truly at peace with yourself."

• Maria Shriver (57:07): "I hope [the poems] will help people look within their own lives and will assure them that they have the strength that they need within to carry on."

Through poetry, Maria communicates her vulnerabilities and triumphs, aiming to resonate with a universal audience experiencing heartbreak and the quest for self-acceptance.

Legacy and Continued Advocacy

Maria speaks about her ongoing commitment to Alzheimer's research and women's health, inspired by her father's battle with the disease.

• Maria Shriver (51:49): "I've spent 20 plus years trying to find a cure for it, trying to educate people about it."

She underscores the lack of research focused on women's health and her efforts to address this gap through her initiatives.

• Maria Shriver (54:45): "We have no research into women's brains or women's bodies or women's health journeys."

Conclusion: Embracing Authenticity and Hope

The conversation culminates with Maria expressing her journey toward authenticity and self-acceptance, aspiring to live a life free from shame and filled with genuine connections.

• Oprah (57:07): "You end with the piece titled 'The Open Field,' and you say, I'll meet you there."

• Maria Shriver (58:01): "I'm out beyond shame... standing there with people who love me, who accept me, who love me for just being Maria."

Maria emphasizes the importance of embracing one's true self and finding peace amidst life's challenges, offering inspiration to listeners navigating their own paths of healing and self-discovery.

Notable Quotes

• Maria Shriver (06:35): "I am Maria. It's not my job. I'm my own being."

• Oprah Winfrey (12:18): "Nobody talked about love in my house."

• Maria Shriver (38:24): "Before you can talk about forgiving another person, you have to look at forgiving yourself."

• Maria Shriver (58:01): "I'm out beyond shame... standing there with people who love me, who accept me, who love me for just being Maria."

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a deeply personal exploration of Maria Shriver's life, her struggles with identity, loss, and betrayal, and her triumphant journey toward forgiveness and self-love. Through her poetry and candid storytelling, Maria provides a beacon of hope and resilience, encouraging listeners to embrace their own vulnerabilities and pursue authentic, meaningful lives.

This summary is intended for those who have not listened to the episode, providing a comprehensive overview of the key discussions and insights shared by Oprah Winfrey and Maria Shriver.