chris pan Photo: Courtesy of Gayle King/Courtesy of MyIntent Project

I met Chris Pan... when favorite son Will and I attended Jay Z's pre-Grammy party, where he was set up at a table creating charms for bracelets and necklaces on the spot. It soon became clear that jewelry is just a means to an end for Chris and his MyIntent project. He believes there's a purpose inside each of us, and his goal is to encourage us to live that purpose. If you give him a word or a short phrase—representing your truth, inspiration, intention—he'll turn it into wearable meaning. I chose smile as my meaning because everybody can do that! For the perfect holiday gift, visit MyIntent.org.
tim mcgraw Photos: McGraw: Danny Clinch, Album: Courtesy of McGraw Music

After all these years... I'm still drawn to Tim McGraw's lyrics. He says that recording his 14th album, Damn Country Music, felt like "one of those electric moments." Well, it's electrifying to listen to! On "Here Tonight," Tim and his daughter Gracie are in perfect harmony.

danish girl Photo: Focus Features

Meet a brave... transgender pioneer, Lili Elbe (birth name Einar Wegener), who is 1930 began undergoing the first known gender reassignment surgeries. I predict Eddie Redmayne's portrayal of Lili in The Danish Girl, out November 27, will earn him another Oscar nomination—and that you'll need tissues to watch it.

by the sea Photo: Universal Pictures

Last time I ran into... Angelina Jolie Pitt, she was about to shoot (and costar in and direct) a movie she'd written. By the Sea opens November 13, so by November 14, we'll know how well her leading man, Brad Pitt, takes direction.

ronda rousey Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Getty

"Why is self-confidence arrogant? Why is self-deprecation considered modesty? I worked my ass off to be able to have a high opinion of myself."

Mixed martial arts champion... Ronda Rousey said that during a CBS This Morning piece a few months back, and her message stayed with me. The lady's got talent, and she makes no apology for it.

cinnamon rolls Photo: Kortnee Kate Photography

The first time... I tasted RoRo's Cinn-A-Rolls, I was sampling foods for this year's Favorite Things, and I had to hold a moment of silence to mark the occasion. Fortunately, I tried them pre-Weight Watchers. I get 26 points a day on this diet, and the center of the roll alone must take up 21, but I promise it's worth every single point. I don't know RoRo, but she sure can cook! ($50 for 18 rolls [2 pans])
shanice williams Photos: The Wiz: Michael Ochs Archive/Getty, Williams: Jeff Riedel/NBC

I love live television... because there's nothing more exhilarating than working without a net. That's why I can't wait for December 3, when The Wiz Live! airs on NBC. Could there be a better Good Witch than Uzo Aduba? And I can't wait to see Mary J. Blige playing against type as Evillene. Add Queen Latifah, Common and Ne-Yo to the mix; cast Stephanie Mills (Broadway's original Dorothy) as Auntie Em; and that's entertainment!

In Photo: Newcomer Shanice Williams plays Dorothy, as Diana Ross did in the 1978 movie version.

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