Summary of "We Can Do Hard Things" Podcast Episode: "Let Our Sundance-Winning Film Remind You What Love Is with Megan Falley"

Release Date: February 6, 2025

Introduction to the Episode

In this heartfelt episode of We Can Do Hard Things, hosts Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, and Amanda Doyle welcome their dear friend and poet Megan Fowle. The episode centers around the Sundance Film Festival premiere of the documentary "Come See Me in the Good Light," which poignantly captures the lives of Megan and her partner, Andrea Gibson, during Andrea’s battle with incurable cancer.

The Origin Story of the Documentary

Amanda Doyle initiates the conversation by describing the deep personal connections that led to the creation of the documentary. She recounts the moment when a friend's doctor recommended Andrea’s poetry as a source of healing during a dark period of her own anorexia treatment ([07:09]). This recommendation sparked Amanda and Abby’s journey into Andrea and Megan’s lives, ultimately leading to the collaborative creation of the film.

Notable Quote:

Amanda Doyle: "It was incredibly amazing... a gift in this time of a very long shadow over a lot of beauty, to be able to be a small part of putting a light on the beauty just felt very like a gift." ([46:24])

Filming and Production Insights

Megan Fowle delves into the intimate process of filming, emphasizing the authenticity and vulnerability captured throughout the documentary. She describes the initial awkwardness ([26:50]) and how the filmmakers, Ryan White and Jessica Hargrave, seamlessly integrated into their lives, creating a sense of family and community. Megan highlights the collaborative spirit, noting how the presence of the film crew became a source of support rather than intrusion.

Notable Quote:

Megan Fowle: "There's something about approaching poets who are more predisposed to vulnerability that made us good subjects in this way." ([28:34])

Impact of the Documentary

The documentary received an overwhelmingly positive reception at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, earning the Festival Favorite Award. The hosts and Megan express profound gratitude and humility over this achievement, underscoring the film's universal appeal and its powerful message of love and resilience.

Notable Quote:

Amanda Doyle: "What we have to tell you is the most beautiful creative story, one of the most beautiful creative stories we have ever been a part of..." ([03:03])

Reflections on Love and Life

Throughout the episode, the conversation delves deep into themes of love, vulnerability, and living authentically. Megan shares her journey of self-discovery and body image, particularly how Andrea’s illness illuminated her own struggles and reinforced the importance of embracing one’s body and present moment.

Notable Quote:

Megan Fowle: "I don't want to say that small, because it's not. Because it's lifelong... but it made the discrepancy of not that this thing is small, but that this thing should be small." ([40:13])

Abby Wambach echoes these sentiments, emphasizing the significance of living fully in the present and loving oneself as is, without waiting for external validation or achieving certain milestones.

Notable Quote:

Abby Wambach: "If I'm suspending my ability to live to my fullest until X... then I'm actually not living." ([42:53])

Achievements and Sundance Win

The hosts celebrate the documentary’s success at Sundance, reflecting on the unexpected yet joyous reception. They discuss the film’s ability to resonate universally, transcending specific communities and highlighting shared human experiences.

Notable Quote:

Megan Fowle: "When you watch it, you see us get hard news and then laughing in bed. It felt like, oh, my God, I get to, people get to understand now." ([34:37])

Amanda shares a moving anecdote about a straight ally at the Sundance premiere, who passionately advocated for the film’s widespread distribution, underscoring its profound emotional impact on diverse audiences.

Future Projects and Closing Thoughts

As the episode winds down, Megan discusses her ongoing work on a memoir that intertwines her personal journey with Andrea’s illness. The hosts express their commitment to promoting the documentary, urging listeners to support its distribution to reach broader audiences.

Notable Quote:

Megan Fowle: "Our friend Heather is in the film... their presence helped us realize the importance of roping in more community to it." ([32:10])

Glennon Doyle passionately advocates for the film’s inclusion in more theaters and streaming platforms, highlighting its essential message of love and human connection.

Notable Quote:

Glennon Doyle: "This is a movie people need to see right now. And I'm not just saying that because we're part of it." ([56:58])

The episode concludes with a collective plea for listeners to support the documentary, empowering them to help spread its message of love, resilience, and the beauty of authentic living.

Conclusion

This episode of We Can Do Hard Things beautifully encapsulates the essence of navigating life’s challenges with grace and love. Through Megan Fowle’s compelling narrative and the hosts’ empathetic dialogue, listeners are invited to reflect on their own journeys, embracing vulnerability and the transformative power of genuine connections.