The Main Allure podcast is inspired by the need to tackle the big questions with a healthy dose of humor and authenticity. Her goal is to inspire and motivate you to embrace who you are in order to attract what you want, because you are the main allure. Laura is an Afro-Latina, Navy veteran, mom, and career woman. She holds a degree in psychology from Columbia University, and has a lifetime fascination with learning about human behavior and motivation.
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Main Allure Podcasts
Though travel and adventure have historically been publicly claimed by men, women have always been part of those narratives, too. Each week, host and Condé Nast Traveler editor Lale Arikoglu shines a light on some of those stories, interviewing female-identifying guests about their most unique travel tales—from going off-grid in the Danish wilderness to country-hopping solo—sharing her own experiences traveling around the globe, and tapping listeners to contribute their own memorable stories ...
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Ep. 20 | Radiate & Rise: Your Guide to Reflect, Pivot, and Soar
13:43
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13:43In the last episode of the season, join Laura as she guides listeners through practical steps to evaluate progress and prepare for a transformation. She shares real-life transformation examples as well as simple level-up methods, like auditing energy drains, asking next-level questions, and celebrating small victories. The episode concludes with yo…
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Hiking Through Italy, Gilded Age Homes, and Bombastic State Fairs
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28:13Hiking Through Italy, Gilded Age Homes, and Bombastic State FairsLearn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Condé Nast Traveler
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Dorthe Nors on Escaping to Her Idyllic Danish Cottage
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25:12Dorthe Nors on Escaping to Her Idyllic Danish CottageLearn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Condé Nast Traveler
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Ep. 19 | Vibe Check: Are Your Self-Awareness Antennas On?
22:59
22:59
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22:59Join Laura as she breaks down what self-awareness really is, why it matters for relationships, leadership, and stress, and why most of us overestimate how self-aware we are. She outlines common signs of low self-awareness and offers quick tools to improve. Don't forget to try her weekly challenge. Laura also shared a special announcement about The …
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Wild Swimming, Remote Cornwall, and Puffin Encounters
26:54
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26:54Author and wild swimmer Freya Bromley returns to tell Lale why the restorative power of nature still holds true for her, the joy and community she has found at a women’s swimming retreat in Cornwall, and her favorite—and little known—island for escaping to each summer. Plus, she extolls the virtues of puffin sightings. Learn about your ad choices: …
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Ep. 18 | How Being a Little Delusional Might Be Your Secret Superpower
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17:19In this episode of the Main Allure Podcast, Laura explores the intriguing concept of productive delusion—how a touch of 'delulu' thinking can propel you towards your dreams. She challenges the notion of sticking to reality and encourages listeners to embrace big, bold ideas that seem unreachable. Join Laura as she reveals the benefits of believing …
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Blair Braverman on the Pleasures and Perils of the Wilderness
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30:53Earlier this year, Lale reported a feature for Condé Nast Traveler on the Iditarod, the annual sled dog race that crosses 1,000 miles of Alaskan wilderness. She catches up with podcast regular, writer, and adventurer Blair Braverman to swap stories of traveling through Alaska. Plus, Blair shares her experiences from another dramatic landscape she h…
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Lale talks to frequent guest and train expert Monisha Rajesh about her recent night train journeys. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Condé Nast Traveler
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Ep. 17 | Mastering Life Like a Game of Chess
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17:05Join Laura as she explores the parallels between life and chess. Discover how understanding the roles of chess pieces can translate into valuable life lessons to enhance your personal and professional growth. Just as in chess, where every piece has its unique purpose, strengths, core values, and daily habits that can all contribute to your long-ter…
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Ep. 16 | Breaking the Burnout Cycle: Recognize and Recover
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23:32Join Laura as she dives deep into the all-consuming phenomenon of burnout. Whether you're a student, parent, entrepreneur, or simply trying to keep it all together, burnout doesn't discriminate. Laura breaks down what burnout truly looks like, its impact on the mind and body, and most importantly, how to escape its grasp and prevent its return. Dis…
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Rebroadcast:There are few places in the world where you won't encounter a cat. So a few years ago, Hannah Shaw, who has dedicated much of her life and work to caring for them, set out tomeet and document has many as she could across the globe—spotlighting the extraordinary places they live and the people who care for them along the way. Lale chats …
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The Best Places to Travel This Summer and Beyond
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34:54Lale sits down in the studio with Condè Nast Traveler editors (and regular WWT guests) Megan Spurrell and Arati Menon to find out their top destinations for the summer, as well as where they have bookmarked for the rest of the year—from Peru to Newfoundland to the Scottish Highlands. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices…
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Ep. 15 | Leap into the Unknown: Trusting the Process
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14:30Are you standing on the edge of a decision, caught in the tangle of 'what-ifs'? This episode is all about taking leaps of faith, why they matter, and how they lead to personal growth. Discover the scientific backing behind stepping into the unknown and how these choices lead to greater satisfaction and confidence in life. Join Laura as she unravels…
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Ep. 14 | Embrace the Awkward: Discovering Joy Beyond Your Comfort Zone
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14:41Welcome to another exciting episode of the Main Allure podcast. This time, we dive into the thrilling yet intimidating realm of trying new things. Laura encourages you to step outside of your familiar routines to explore activities that may initially seem terrifying or awkward. Through her personal story of an unexpected journey into acting and hum…
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Erin French on Maine, the Lost Kitchen, and a Mammoth Cross-Country Road Trip
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26:08(A rebroadcast). Each year, Erin French receives 60,000 postcards from people asking if they can dine at her Maine restaurant The Lost Kitchen. “It really becomes a luck of the draw lottery. We have big post office bins that arrive and we literally reach in, we grab a postcard, we call that person immediately and say, ‘Okay, when do you want to com…
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Ep. 13 | Release Yourself from Life's Sunk Cost Trap
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16:37In this insightful discussion, Laura dives deep into the concept of the sunk cost fallacy, explaining how our investments of time, effort, or money can often keep us trapped in unfulfilling jobs, relationships, or commitments. Join Laura as she explores the power of making decisions based on present needs rather than past investments, and discover …
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From Critics at Large: The Splendor of Nature, Now Streaming
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44:08In 1954, a young David Attenborough made his début as the star of a new nature show called “Zoo Quest.” The docuseries, which ran for nearly a decade on the BBC, was a sensation that set Attenborough down the path of his life’s work: exposing viewers to our planet’s most miraculous creatures and landscapes from the comfort of their living rooms. On…
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What is it like growing up in one of the most storied and iconic hotels in Italy? Ask Valentina de Santis, who was raised in the kitchens and ballrooms of Lake Como's Grand Hotel Tremezzo and now runs the charismatic Passalacqua along with her parents nearby. Lale chats with the hotelier to hear stories of life on Lake Como, get tips on traveling i…
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Ep. 12 | Unlocking the Power of Routine for a Transformative Life
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14:43Have you ever felt the need to get your life together? This episode explores the transformational power of routines and how they can improve your life mentally, emotionally, and even financially. Learn how a structured routine can reduce decision fatigue and stress hormones like cortisol, enhancing your sleep and focus. Discover the true essence of…
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Ep. 11 | Weekly Challenge: The Social Media Detox
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18:07In this deeply personal exploration, I dive into what actually happens during a social media detox – both the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and the surprising benefits that emerge once you push through the initial discomfort. Tune in to join the next challenge! 🎶 Jay-Z - I KnowBy Laura
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Carol Moseley Braun on a Travel-Filled Political Career
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28:51Carol Moseley Braun on a Travel-Filled Political CareerLearn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Condé Nast Traveler
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Comedian Heather McMahan Can't Get Enough of Italy and Cruises
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32:30Comedian Heather McMahan Can't Get Enough of Italy and CruisesLearn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Condé Nast Traveler
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Ep. 10 | The Intentional Magic of Romanticizing Your Life
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25:14
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25:14Have you ever caught yourself going through life on autopilot, treating each day like just another box to check? Today's episode offers a paradigm shift that could revolutionize your everyday experience without requiring more money, time, or resources than you already have. 🎶 Francis Lai - La Leçon Particulière…
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Born and raised in Singapore, Jemimah Wei uses her hometown as the backdrop to her new novel, The Original Daughter—a story of sisterhood and family drama set in the turn of the millennium. But as well as it being a great source of inspiration for the author, she also believes it to be a great destination for solo travelers. Lale sits down with Wei…
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Ep. 9 | The Invisible Chains: Who’s Really in the Driver’s Seat of Your Life?
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21:04As your unofficial mentor and motivator, I share deeply personal stories about how my own autonomy was stolen in childhood and the challenging journey to reclaim it. Autonomy is the steering wheel of our lives, influencing our mental health, confidence, and motivation in profound ways that many of us don't recognize until it's been taken away. 🎶 Se…
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Planning a National Parks Trip? Here's What to Know
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29:18There are over 60 national parks in the United States—and they're never more popular than at the peak of summer. This year, however, might look a little bit different as a result of sweeping budget cuts that impact everything from how the trails are maintained to the park rangers who guide you. To help us understand what to expect—and plan our next…
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Ep. 8 | Self-Worth vs. Self-Esteem: Knowing the Difference, Owning Both
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20:33What would remain if everything you've achieved suddenly vanished? Your job, titles, accolades – gone. Would you still believe you matter? This question forms the heart of this episode's exploration into the profound difference between self-worth and self-esteem. How stable is the foundation of your self-worth? 🎶 Nikki Giovanni - My House…
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Eva Longoria on Eating Her Way Around Spain
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25:44In 2023, Eva Longoria headed to Mexico with CNN in search of a deeper understanding of the country’s rich culinary heritage and her own family history. Last month, she returned to our screens with a brand new season, Searching for Spain, which takes her all over the country to explore the vast regional scope of its cuisine and learn about her Spani…
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Ep. 7 | The 401k Approach to Personal Growth: Zoom Out and See the Gains
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19:16
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19:16The magic happens during those periods when you feel like you're standing still. That's when you're actually becoming—healing old wounds, gathering strength, and preparing for your next leap forward. Like a 401k that fluctuates daily but grows substantially over time, your personal growth requires patience and perspective. Your journey isn't meant …
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Ep. 6 | Bouncing Back: Strategies to Build Your Resilience Muscle
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19:11Have you ever wondered what separates those who crumble under pressure from those who somehow find a way forward? The answer lies in one critical emotional muscle that often goes untrained. On this episode of The Main Allure podcast, we dive deep into the concept of resilience, not as an innate superpower that some possess and others don't, but as …
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Hawa Hassan's Recipes from Somalia, Egypt, Lebanon, and More
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25:32In Hawa Hassan's second cookbook, the chef and author explores the recipes and stories born out of displacement, and the sense of community and resilience that can be found through food. Lale chats with her about the travels and research behind the book, which took her to The Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, and Lebanon, among others, as well…
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Introducing “Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant”
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41:14Today, we are sharing an episode of Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, the chart-topping and Webby Award-winning podcast from our friends at Nature on PBS. Back for a brand new season, Going Wild features some of the coolest champions of nature – like a paleoanthropologist who hunts fossils in conflict zones, and a former butterfly technician who …
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Ep. 5 | Breaking Free: Stop Seeking Approval and Start Trusting Yourself
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18:37In this deeply reflective episode, we explore the complex psychology behind validation-seeking behavior and why it's become so prevalent in our digital age. Through relatable examples, I illustrate how social media has intensified our dependence on external validation as well as how we often cling to relationships for the small dopamine hit of self…
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Ep. 4 | Unmasking Imposter Syndrome and Overcoming Self-Doubt
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20:52Have you ever felt like a fraud waiting to be exposed? That nagging inner voice questioning whether you really belong or deserve your success? Welcome to the world of imposter syndrome... that peculiar psychological pattern where capable, accomplished people doubt their abilities and fear being "found out." But here's the unexpected twist: what if …
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