Podcast Summary: We Can Do Hard Things Episode: How to Break Cycles with Allison Russell (Best Of)
Release Date: August 3, 2025
Hosts: Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, and Amanda Doyle
Guest: Allison Russell

Introduction

In this episode of We Can Do Hard Things, hosts Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, and Amanda Doyle welcome Grammy-nominated musician Allison Russell to discuss her journey of breaking cycles of trauma, her latest album The Returner, and her activism against systemic injustices. The conversation delves deep into personal healing, the power of art, and the importance of fostering supportive communities.

Allison Russell's Personal Journey

Allison Russell opens up about her challenging upbringing, highlighting the impact of her mother's struggles with mental health and abusive relationships. She shares, “[I was] raised in Montreal, Quebec, Canada... my mother had severe postpartum depression and paranoid schizophrenia” ([02:17]). This tumultuous childhood led to her removal from her mother's care before the age of two, introducing her to the foster system and further abuse from a predatory adult.

Breaking Free Through Music and Community

Despite these hardships, Allison found solace in the bohemian culture of Montreal and alternative high school friendships. Music became her refuge and a means of expression. She reflects on the transformative power of music, saying, “Art, of course. The magic and the mystery of art” ([36:00]).

The Returner: A Journey of Healing and Re-Embodiment

Allison discusses her latest album, The Returner, describing it as a "joyful reclamation of being here now" and an embodiment of healing. She emphasizes the album's creation process, stating, “We made The Returner in six days... complete trust with everyone that you're engaged in creative communion with” ([40:31]). The album serves as an anthem for those recovering from trauma, celebrating resilience and the reclaiming of one's body and spirit.

Notable Tracks and Themes

• "Persephone": Allison describes this song as both sad and joyful, capturing the essence of first love and sexual awakening. She shares, “It is such a joyful song. It’s first love. It’s sexual reclamation and awakening” ([23:14]).
• "All Without Within": Highlighted as the sexiest song on the record, this track features collaborations with Wendy and Lisa, symbolizing the power of chosen family and creative collaboration ([40:12]).

Intergenerational Healing and Parenting

The conversation shifts to the impact of trauma on the next generation. Allison and Amanda discuss how children like Allison's daughter, Ida, are breaking the cycles of abuse through emotional intelligence and resilience. Allison notes, “They trust us enough to tease us and to mock us... they can be their full selves” ([09:40]).

Motherhood as a Catalyst for Healing

Allison shares how becoming a mother transformed her relationship with her own body and self-worth. She reveals, “My little brother and my niece and nephew and a number... music, of course. Art, of course. The magic and the mystery of art” ([36:00]). Motherhood provided her with a profound sense of purpose and connection, aiding her in overcoming disordered eating and self-criticism.

Activism and Social Justice

Allison passionately discusses her activism, particularly in advocating for sensible gun reform and fighting against white supremacy and systemic injustices. She highlights the struggles in Tennessee, emphasizing the importance of voting and community support to combat legislative terrorism. Allison states, “We can't show my daughter that I'm running away from fascism. We don't run away from fascism. We stop it” ([51:12]).

Honoring Truth Tellers

The hosts and Allison honor figures like Sinead O'Connor, Tracy Chapman, and Gloria Johnson for their courage in speaking out against systemic abuses. They discuss the recurring pattern of demonizing strong, vocal women who challenge the status quo, reinforcing the need to support and honor these truth tellers in real-time rather than posthumously ([30:34]).

The Power of Community and Chosen Family

Allison emphasizes the significance of chosen family and supportive communities in the healing process. Reflecting on her experiences, she shares, “We just learned so much from each other. What love feels like, what love to feel loved” ([56:38]). The podcast underscores the importance of surrounding oneself with empathetic and understanding individuals to foster resilience and joy.

Final Thoughts and Encouragement

As the episode concludes, Allison encourages listeners to embrace their journeys of healing and to find joy in their bodies and communities. She reflects on the brevity of life and the importance of experiencing love and peace fully: “Everyone can take the journey with either album. But they are in fact, Outside Child is volume one, broadly the past. The Returner is volume two. It's the present” ([42:15]).

Notable Quotes

• "We can't run away from fascism. We stop it. We surround it with love and we overwhelm it and we vote it out." — Allison Russell ([51:12])
• "Art, of course. The magic and the mystery of art." — Allison Russell ([36:00])
• "It’s sexual reclamation and awakening." — Allison Russell ([23:14])

Conclusion

This episode of We Can Do Hard Things offers a profound exploration of overcoming trauma through art, community, and personal resilience. Allison Russell's heartfelt narrative provides inspiration for listeners to break free from destructive cycles and embrace healing with courage and love. Her insights into motherhood, activism, and the transformative power of music resonate deeply, embodying the podcast's mission to tackle life's hard things with honesty and support.

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