Imagined Life

In the latest season of Wondery’s Even The Rich, hosts Brooke and Aricia tell the story of Elton John. Before he was Reginald Dwight. Reginald hates who he is: a chubby, awkward kid from a fractured English home. So he escapes through music, and reinvents himself as Elton John. The journey take him far away from his neglected childhood and morphs him into a spoiled, coke-addicted rock superstar. But underneath the glitz and glamour, an inescapable sadness persists. No matter how many hit records he makes or lines he snorts, Elton can’t escape himself. His world eventually crashes down in a torrent of addictions, depression, and self-loathing. But when he finally learns to love himself, he grows into the person he was meant to be, enabling thousands of others to do so and becoming an LGBTQ icon. Listen to the rest of this episode at wondery.fm/ETR_ImaginedLife. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You can’t help but dream about the big houses in the fancy neighborhood in your town. One day, that could be you. It’ll take hard work, focus, and a clear plan for how to accomplish your goals. But when you decide to change those plans, you’ll ask yourself one question: Will you still end up in that big house on the hill — or are you destined for something more? Hosted by Angelique Perrin. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You’re always on the move. Not just moving from town to town — with your siblings and your foster parents — but moving your feet, your arms, and your hands. You love to feel your body in motion. But the way that you move isn’t always understood by grown-ups who think they know better. In order to fulfill your destiny, you have to follow your heart. Hosted by Cree Summer. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You dream of traveling through space and exploring the vast reaches of the solar system. Because in space, you don’t have to explain yourself. You get to explore the questions you want to ask. But if you want to solve the mysteries of the universe, you’re going to have to learn to focus. Hosted by Robbie Daymond. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You like to test your limits and live life on the edge. That doesn’t always sit well with your mom, who just wants you to be safe and to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground. But safety is the exact opposite of what you need. For you, the sky’s the only limit. Hosted by Virginia Madsen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You love asking questions wherever you go, especially “why.” Why is the world the way that it is? Why doesn’t everyone get along? Why can’t we all just be better people? All those questions lead you to a career you never expected on the silver screen. But in order to live up to your potential, you’ll have to find the honesty, generosity, and bravery that lives deep inside you. Hosted by Ace Anderson. Listen to new episodes 1 week early and to all episodes ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery Apphttps://wondery.app.link/imaginedlife. Support us by supporting our sponsors! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You’ve always been wiser than your years, but not everyone is ready to let you grow up. You’d rather be watching scary movies than playing dress-up. They might not be listening now, but they’re going to hear your voice soon enough. Hosted by Cree Summer` Support us by supporting our sponsors! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Life moves slow in your sleepy little hometown. You long to escape to someplace else, where life is fast, exciting, maybe even a little dangerous. It’s a place that only exists in your imagination. But someday, you’re going to bring it to life. Hosted by Robbie Daymond. Support us by supporting our sponsors! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You see the world differently from anyone else you know. And that's how you're going to help save it. Hosted by Virginia Madsen. Listen to new episodes 1 week early and to all episodes ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/imaginedlife. Support us by supporting our sponsors! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You’re a successful woman in a man’s business, and yet you’re not sure you can do it alone. You’ve worked so hard to get here, but now you’re afraid of losing everything. Hosted by Virginia Madsen. This episode originally aired in 2018. Listen to new episodes 1 week early and to all episodes ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/imaginedlife. Support us by supporting our sponsors! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.