Our Oscar-Nominated Andrea Gibson Film: Meg Falley and Sara Bareilles - We Can Do Hard Things Recap
Podcast: We Can Do Hard Things
Published: 2026-02-24
Duration: 4172
Guests: Abby Wambach, Glennon Doyle, Sara Bareilles
What Happened
Megan Falley hosted a captivating discussion with Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, and Sara Bareilles about 'Come See Me In the Good Light,' the Oscar-nominated documentary celebrating Andrea Gibson. The film, which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and won the Festival Favorite Award, documents Megan's final year with Andrea, a journey deeply intertwined with love, art, and mortality.
Sara Bareilles became involved after a transformative experience at one of Andrea's shows, describing it as spiritually moving. Meanwhile, Glennon Doyle and Abby Wambach joined due to their close friendship with Megan and Andrea and saw the project as an opportunity to confront their own fears of death. The film's creation brought together a talented team, including Tig Notaro and Kevin Nealon.
Andrea Gibson's poetry, which Glennon Doyle described as transformative during her recovery from an eating disorder, plays a central role in the film and podcast discussion. The film encourages viewers to live more vibrantly, illustrating that despite its themes of mortality, it is ultimately a joyful and hopeful narrative. Andrea's journey through cancer treatment serves as a backdrop to a deeper exploration of living fully and authentically.
The film's impact extends to viewers across various backgrounds, including oncology nurses who gained renewed insights into patient experiences. Andrea Gibson, who passed away seven months ago at age 49, left a legacy of empathy and love. One of Andrea's final coherent sentences, 'I fucking loved my life,' encapsulates the film's message.
Sara Bareilles and Brandi Carlisle collaborated on a song for the film, utilizing Andrea's unfinished poetry to create a love song that uplifts viewers. This song was first heard by Andrea in a chemo room, providing joy during a challenging day, and was later performed at Madison Square Garden on Valentine's Day.
The podcast also dives into the cultural differences in financial advice given to men and women, promoting financial literacy tools like the Acorns app. It touches on various resources for personal growth, including Masterclass courses and career coaching by Strawberry.me, emphasizing the importance of investing in oneself and living a balanced life.
Key Insights
- The documentary 'Come See Me In the Good Light' is not just a film about cancer, but a celebration of living life fully, despite facing mortality. It highlights the intimate journey of poet Andrea Gibson and their partner Megan Falley during Andrea's battle with cancer.
- Glennon Doyle found Andrea Gibson's poetry a key transformative element during her recovery from an eating disorder. This connection to Andrea's work deeply influenced her participation in the film project, allowing her to confront personal fears and embrace life's vibrancy.
- Sara Bareilles experienced a profound spiritual awakening at one of Andrea Gibson's performances, which led her to participate in the documentary. Her involvement brought a musical dimension to the film, collaborating with Brandi Carlisle to create a song from Andrea's unfinished poetry.
- The film's production united a diverse creative team, including notable figures like Tig Notaro and Kevin Nealon, to craft a narrative that resonates with audiences beyond the subject of mortality. It has been recognized with several accolades, including an Oscar nomination and a win at Sundance Film Festival.