Rosie O’Donnell: Love People Back to Life

Rosie O’Donnell (The Rosie O’Donnell Show, A League of Their Own, Onward podcast) discusses the ripple effects of her mom passing when Rosie was a child, the emergence of the first LGBTQ movement, and the emotional highs and lows of becoming an activist for gay parents. She explains how she got into stand-up comedy as a teenager, the prevalence of alcoholism and abuse on her father's side of the family, and how losing mother made her strive to please the adults in her life and putting on a tough persona as a cry for love. Rosie opens up about the differences between her coming out process and what it’s like to come out now, her intense quest for spirituality, and navigating her youngest daughter’s autism diagnosis & what her daughter has taught her about inclusivity. She describes the odd circumstances of her heart attack and how symptoms differ between men and women, what it was like to address her ex-wife’s suicide as a public person, and how alcoholism varies from drug addiction. Mayim and Rosie break down adoption trauma, nature vs nurture in adoption, why women’s rights affect everything, and Rosie’s opinion on The View after all these years.

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Theme Song Written, Produced, and Performed by Ed Robertson. Mixed by Kenny Luong.

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[b.garland]

I really appreciated the way Rosie articulatd her respect for her siblings in not oversharing about their childhood.

[oceanwoods]

Both of these women are wise, respectful, kind, smart, good, reflective, productive, and honest.
Powerful and inspirational!

[m_brokenleg]

Heartbreaking to watch Rosie explaining that her teacher was the first person telling her she loved her & hugging her. The one telling her the biggest true that “loves makes the family, not blood”. I’m crying heart wrenched watching Rosie speak about her daughter’s problems & about adoption trauma & the convo between one of her daughters & her RL mom. And about her ex-wife..I just want to hug all them dearly.
My God, Rosie is such fascinating, brave, admirable woman! World should be thankful for the existence of Human Rights & LGTBIQ+ advocates & activists like her. I am. Thanks for bringing her to MBB, Mayim! 💜

[jjbjjbh]

Incredible podcast Mayim. Rosie is always so authentic, open and honest. A treat to have such guests talk about their world view.

[BeckyE]

I've always felt a connection to Rosie. In 1994, I was 10 and my mother died of cancer, and Rosie started her talk show at the time and talked about losing her mom at 10. I was a tomboy too. Plus, I grew up in Rockford, IL and my elementary school was built on the old baseball diamond of the Rockford Peaches, and Rosie did League of their Own and played a Rockford Peach. Will always love you, Rosie heart❤

[mandypdx]

The last 2 years of my mother’s life, she was bedridden. I was 22-24 years, a recent college graduate, working full time and going to grad school at night. I would spend my lunch hour for those 2 years, driving 20 minutes each way to swap VHS tapes, and setting up recordings for the Rosie O’Donnell show, because sleeping thru them upset her. Ro brought so much joy to my mother ❤❤

[avleck]

Rosie calmer than I feel like I’ve ever seen her before. What a lovely, soothing one-on-one today between two fiercely strong women!💕

[stacylovesart]

I believe Rosie's mother has been her Guardian Angel her entire life and contributing to all the good things.

[austinjudd]

Being a child from the 80’s with all gay parents, Rosie will always be my biggest hero! Thank you for being so brave, I love you so much!!

[SomeGal]

Loved her in League of Her Own and the Rosie O'Donnell show. She is such a compelling storyteller.

[dawnm]

Hi, I wanted to share the story of my son sleeping in my bed when he was a child. My husband and I divorced when our son was two and a half years old. My son suffered some other trauma at around the same time so whenever he wanted to sleep in my bed I let him. As the years went by people (my parents) started expressing concern that he was getting a little too old and I decided that when he was ready he would make the decision to sleep only in his own bed. I wasn't going to kick him out or deny him a feeling of comfort and safety. Then my parents bought him a mattress warmer. He never slept in my bed again! It turns out that he was coming into my bed because he was cold, not because of a need for comfort. This is a sweet memory that always makes us laugh. Thanks for another wonderful episode. Dawn

[j.b.]

Always been a fan of Rosie O'Donnell, and this was a wonderful episode. But in my little world, it has also been very therapeutic... laughs and tears all the way! Thank you Mayim for this therapy. I needed it today!

[Begining]

As a lesbian foster mum to 4 traumatized siblings since they came to me in 2007, i really loved hearing Rosie's perspective. Terrific discussion.

[marquitalarson]

I LOVE the comments about nurses loving parents to life. I’ve been a nurse 46 years. Thank you 🙏 for remembering us.

[teetertotter]

How about you two having a weekly chat here? Loved every minute of this.

[gerigaskill]

Rosie's mom was so smart & loving to teach her kids how to each cook one meal, making sure they's have good things to each once she was gone🥰She's smart like her mom, too, I can only begin to imagine of how proud she is of her bright & beautiful daughter!

[stacyfabiszewski]

I love that you had Rosie on, I wish this episode was a lot longer. Rosie is great! Thank you so much for having her on

[lauraphysicsspeer]

The story about the teachers pulling together to help her family, really touching.

[MyraHart]

I am a nurse with childhood trauma and a deep mother wound who wants to adopt, so this episode hit me hard in the feels in so many ways. Thank you, Ro, for telling your story and thank you, Mayim, for doing this work. I find healing in many ways, and connecting to other people's experiences is one of them.

[candicel]

I'm loving the natural looks of both ladies ❤