Laugh Lines with Kim & Penn Holderness

Latest Episodes:

We Talk To Kim's ADHD Therapist (Dr. Amelia Kelley!) Nov 10, 2026

Show notes

Well, I did something I never thought I'd do... I invited my ACTUAL therapist onto our podcast. (And yes, it almost turned into marriage counseling.) This week, we're joined by the wonderful Dr. Amelia Kelley, the woman who helped me figure out I had ADHD. Despite literally co-writing a book about ADHD with Penn, I somehow missed all the signs. (And yes, there were signs.)

We talk with Dr. Kelley about why ADHD can look so different in women, how hormones can make symptoms worse, and all the things I've spent my life thinking were just weird little personality quirks. Like why I can handle a full-blown crisis but I can't make a dentist appointment. We also get into friendship guilt, doom piles, and the exhaustion of pretending to have it all together. Plus, Penn gets a crash course in the female hormonal cycle and starts considering whether he should track mine. What could possibly go wrong?

If you are a woman with ADHD, I hope this conversation makes you feel seen. Getting diagnosed with ADHD in midlife wasn't something I immediately celebrated, but understanding myself better has changed my life. (And Dr. Kelley, if you're reading this, please don't let this episode make you so popular that I can't get an appointment anymore.) We love to hear from you! Leave us a message at 323-364-3929 or write the show at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com. You can also watch our podcast on YouTube.

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Laugh Lines with Kim & Penn Holderness is an evolution of The Holderness Family Podcast, which began in 2018. Kim and Penn Holderness are award-winning online content creators known for their original music, song parodies, comedy sketches, and weekly podcasts. Their videos have resulted in over three billion views and over nine million followers since 2013. Penn and Kim are also authors of the New York Times Bestselling Books, ADHD Is Awesome: A Guide To (Mostly) Thriving With ADHD and All You Can Be With ADHD. They were also winners on The Amazing Race (Season 33) on CBS.

Laugh Lines is hosted and executive produced by Kim Holderness and Penn Holderness, with original music by Penn Holderness. Laugh Lines is also written and produced by Ann Marie Taepke, and edited and produced by Sam Allen. It is hosted by Acast. Thanks for listening!

00:00 Welcome to Laugh Lines!

5:14 Dr. Amelia Kelley is Here

6:42 The Initial Diagnosis

9:12 Diagnosis Shame

16:04 ADHD In Girls

23:31 Executive Functioning

30:13 Maintaining Friendships

39:00 Let's Talk Transitions

50:13 Doom Piles

58:06 Wife Tracking

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What We're Still Learning About Parenting with Dr. Becky Kennedy Nov 03, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever looked back at a parenting moment and thought, "I could have handled that better..." (Raises both hands.) Well friends, I have good news. It's never too late to make things right with our kids. Even when they're teenagers. Even when they don't want our advice. And even when the hardest thing we can do as parents is just... shut up.

This week, we're joined by one of our favorite parenting experts, Dr. Becky Kennedy, who is a TED speaker and #1 New York Times bestselling author, to talk about the parenting mistakes we can still fix and why connection matters more than getting everything right. We dive into raising kids with ADHD, understanding deeply feeling kids, and what to do when your child says they're stupid or worthless. And while these conversations are important (and sometimes emotional) Dr. Becky has a way of making us laugh through all of it while giving such good, practical advice.

We also have plenty of ridiculousness this week, including Penn's adventures getting my anxiety blanket through TSA, a very spirited debate with Sam and Ann Marie about whether we should compete on Dancing with the Stars, and some big personal news! I'm officially writing a new book about being a woman with ADHD. Should we bring you along for the ride? We love to hear from you! Leave us a message at 323-364-3929 or write the show at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com. You can also watch our podcast on YouTube.

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0:00 Welcome to Laugh Lines!

4:32 Kim's Big Announcement

10:52 Welcome, Dr. Becky!

13:20 Good Inside Method

24:24 Is It Too Late?

29:44 Increased Connection

37:33 Parenting Kids With ADHD

49:45 We're On The Same Team

54:17 Dancing With The Stars

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Our Ridiculous Marriage Debates Oct 27, 2026

Show notes

How long can leftovers sit in the fridge before they become a health hazard? Are decorative pillows a waste of money? And is my husband trying to steal my Christmas joy? These are the hard-hitting issues that Penn and I have been arguing about for YEARS. And today, we're finally putting them up for debate.

With election season in full swing and debates happening everywhere, we decided it was time to settle some of our own household disagreements. So this week we brought in our very brave producer, Sam, to moderate in true debate form. These are VERY important issues where neither of us is willing to budge. Like how long leftovers can stay in the fridge before they become a science experiment. Or whether cabinet doors are actually necessary. (Yes, Penn has thoughts on this.)

We also take a trip down memory lane to revisit the wildly inappropriate club bangers we used to dance to without a second thought. Plus, we talk about finding common ground with people who see the world differently and why a little healthy disagreement might actually be good for all of us.

Now we need YOU to help us decide who won the debate. Let us know! We love to hear from you! Leave us a message at 323-364-3929 or write the show at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com. You can also watch our podcast on YouTube.

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0:00 Welcome to Laugh Lines!

3:37 90s Lyrics Were...

7:43 It's Election Season

13:34 Naming Our Debate

15:42 Topic 1 - Fridge Leftovers

19:56 Topic 2 - Cabinet Doors

24:26 Topic 3 - Christmas Decorating

28:00 Topic 4 - Decorative Pillows

33:52 Calls from the Laugh Line

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Awkward Phases & Wonder Years with Danica McKellar Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

Remember when we got terrible perms, passed notes in class, and had to survive our awkward teenage years without beauty filters? (I swear kids these days don't have awkward phases and it shows.) This week on the podcast, Penn and I talk about why our kids are craving our culture and we kick off a series we are calling "Gen X Check In" with someone who defined our childhoods. Our first guest? Danica McKellar! Yes, Winnie Cooper from The Wonder Years joins us this week to talk about how she went from America's sweetheart to an actual mathematician. (Meanwhile, I was crying over 7th grade math.) She also opens up about her childhood crush, what it's really like filming Christmas movies in 100-degree heat, and a fun story from working with Dolly Parton.

Penn also celebrates his 52nd birthday with some very age-appropriate rocket ship balloons, we share photographic evidence of how awkward we once were, and we compare notes on what our second careers would be. (I am still amazed that Danica has two very successful and very different careers!) Who should we check in with next? Tell us! We love to hear from you! Leave us a message at 323-364-3929 or write the show at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com. You can also watch our podcast on YouTube.

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00:00 Welcome to Laugh Lines!

1:11 Penn's Birthday

7:14 The Joy of Gen X Culture

17:09 Gen X Check-In with Danica

21:08 Hollywood Childhood

25:02 Pivoting to Math

31:24 Danica's Life Now

38:14 Dolly Parton Memories

41:35 Our Second Careers

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We're In Bed & We've Got Stories Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

After 11 days across the country powered by gummy bears, Penn and I are back from our "Get It Done & Have Fun" book tour. (Don't worry Nashville, we will see you soon!) We had every intention of recording a normal podcast, but after so many days on the road we thought we'd take to the bed and bring you along for the shenanigans.

We have so many stories to share, including Penn's unfortunate underwear situation, how I turn into a powered-down robot, and how we may be more co-dependent than we realized after failing our airport divorce. We're also sharing some really special moments from visiting schools, teaching kids about ADHD, and meeting so many of you along the way.

We also learn how many "years old" we are in a Seventeen magazine style quiz along with Sam and Ann Marie (apparently saying "these used to be farms and fields" is a sign of aging) and we take some of your calls from the Laugh Line. We hope you enjoy this episode of pillow talk. Should we do it again? We love to hear from you! Leave us a message at 323-364-3929 or write the show at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com. You can also watch our podcast on YouTube.

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00:00 Welcome to Laugh Lines...In Bed

3:42 Packing for Book Tour

8:12 Book Tour Priorities

21:44 Traveling With Your Spouse

30:49 Airport Divorce

33:08 How Many "Years Old" Are You?

44:32 Calls from the Laugh Line

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Do Men Need Better Friends? with Richard Reeves Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

Friends, this podcast has been months in the making. For years, Penn has come home from entire weekends with his guy friends with zero new information about their lives. His buddy's wife could be expecting a baby and Penn had no idea. ("Bryce's wife is pregnant?!") I have been concerned, but after our conversation with Richard Reeves, I’m realizing maybe I’ve been looking at male friendship all wrong.

Richard is the founding president of the American Institute for Boys and Men. This week, he joins us to talk about why men connect shoulder-to-shoulder, how we need to think of their friendship differently than women, and why being curious is the most important thing we can practice with the boys in our lives. Our conversation quickly became about much more than just adult male friendship. We talk about the mentors our boys desperately need, including male coaches and teachers, and that while it takes a village to raise a child... “some of the village has to be men.” This conversation challenged some of my assumptions and reminded us that helping men and boys build stronger connections doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it starts with just sending the text.

Also Penn may or may not be trying to figure out how to become best friends with the men from The Golden Bachelorette. Honestly, I fully support that last one. We love to hear from you! Leave us a message at 323-364-3929 or write the show at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com. You can also watch our podcast on YouTube.

Learn more about Richard's work:

https://maleeducators.org/

https://aibm.org/

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00:00 Welcome to Laugh Lines!

2:57 Penn Reads A Text

11:15 Why Are Men Lonelier?

14:53 Sharing As Adult Men

26:02 Raising Young Boys

38:05 Male Mentorship

45:08 Suicide Prevention

57:15 Redistributing Fatherhood

1:04:32 Male Vulnerability In Media

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Trick Your ADHD Brain Into Getting Stuff Done Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

Yay! Our new children’s book Get It Done & Have Fun! ADHD Hacks for Awesome Kids is out TODAY! This week to celebrate, Penn and I are sharing our favorite ways to trick ADHD brains into doing things they absolutely do not want to do. (And share your hilarious tips!)

Telling people with ADHD to “just try harder” doesn’t work. Sometimes you need to create fake urgency, turn your to-do list into a game, put your keys in the fridge, narrate your life out loud, or apparently tie yourself to the oven. (Please allow us to explain in the show.) Penn also shares strategies on writing a book when you have ADHD, reflects on how his late Mom should have been thanked, and I admit something deeply embarrassing. I also try to start multiple new businesses in the show. (Because those of us with ADHD would rather start a business venture than do laundry or pay bills...)

We hope this episode gives you a few tricks to try and see what works for your brain. And if you have an awesome kid with ADHD, check out our new book! We love to hear from you! Leave us a message at 323-364-3929 or write the show at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com. You can also watch our podcast on YouTube. And as promised, here is our "Get It Done" Playlist for ADHDers.

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00:00 Welcome to Laugh Lines!

2:51 ADHD Brains Are Different

9:37 Kim's ADHD Academy

16:41 ADHD Hacks from YOU

36:49 Writing A Book With ADHD

46:15 Thanks Penn's Mom

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We Need Creativity & Saxophone Solos with John Green Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever loved doing something and then forgot why you loved it in the first place? Same. This week, we’re talking with the incredibly thoughtful (and incredibly delightful) John Green about why we all need creativity in our lives and how to find our way back to the things that bring us joy.

John is a #1 New York Times bestselling author who is returning to fiction for the first time in nine years with his new novel, Hollywood, Ending. Our conversation goes everywhere from why making art is part of being human to why it’s hard not to care about likes, views, and algorithms. We talk about the vulnerability of creating something, doing things simply because you love them, and how we both may want to live under a rock and salinger... yes, that is a verb now.

And because this is Laugh Lines, we also discuss the books Penn and John wrote when they were eight, why Penn reenacted a college basketball game with dolls on TV, and we make the case for bringing back saxophone solos. (Careless Whisper, anyone?) Please let us know what your weird dreams are in the comments so we can get them interpreted... and tell us your thoughts on Penn's Sunny voice. We love to hear from you! Leave us a message at 323-364-3929 or write the show at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com. You can also watch our podcast on YouTube.

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00:00 Welcome to Laugh Lines

4:55 Today's Guest is John Green

7:06 Return to Fiction

11:54 Hollywood, Ending

20:06 Partners In Health

29:10 Our College Experiences

32:55 Penn's Sports Reporting

37:11 Why Is Music Whisper-y

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American Idol, Empty Nests & Second Acts with Clay Aiken Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Friends, the Clay Aiken came to our attic! This week on Laugh Lines, Penn and I had SO much fun sitting down with multi-platinum singer, Clay Aiken, to talk about behind-the-scenes American Idol stories, what it means to show up as your true self, and what's next!

We discuss auditioning with 80s theme songs, ADHD, Southern accents, flip phones, and what Clay is like when no one is watching. We also talk about what happens when you reach the stage of empty nesting and start asking, “Okay... now what?” Clay took time to raise his son, Parker, and now he's finding his second act by returning to something he realized he missed... performing. He is about to release his first new album in nearly two decades and y'all, his first single is a BOP. The new album comes out September 25th. And because this is Laugh Lines, I somehow end up teaching Clay about perimenopause. Never a dull moment here...

This week, we also get to the bottom of Gen Z slang with the help of Yahoo Scout (so we finally know what a situationship means). Try Yahoo Scout. #YahooPartner #YahooScout #ad We love to hear from you! Leave us a message at 323-364-3929 or write the show at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com. You can also watch our podcast on YouTube.

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00:00 Welcome to Laugh Lines

6:51 Clay Aiken Is Here!

8:31 North Carolina Roots

21:20 Behind-the-Scenes of American Idol

36:03 What The Gen Zers Are Saying - Sponsored by Yahoo! Scout

40:20 Sexuality Obsession

49:00 Being A Dad

52:11 In The Studio

1:00:38 Rewind or Fast Forward

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Rethinking Tech In Schools with Jared Cooney Horvath Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

Technology is such a huge part of our kids’ lives, especially at school, that we don’t always stop to ask: Is all of it actually helping them learn? This week, neuroscientist and educator Jared Cooney Horvath gave us a lot to think about. (And considering I haven’t been able to help with our kids’ math homework since elementary school, I definitely had some questions.)

Jared joins us to explain what happens when screens replace handwriting, textbooks, and face-to-face interaction. We talk about the difference between using technology to “offload” work versus “outsourcing” skills we haven’t learned yet, why preparing kids for a digital future might actually mean less tech in the classroom, and whether AI is taking things one step too far. But the best news? No one is stuck. Attention, memory, and learning can improve, and there are changes parents and schools can make right now.

Penn and I also lean all the way into our Gen X roots, including the rotary phone (aka the original fidget spinner.) Turns out we may be advocating for less tech while being extremely entertained by very old tech. We love to hear from you! Leave us a message at 323-364-3929 or write the show at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com. You can also watch our podcast on YouTube.

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