This Is Uncomfortable

This Is Uncomfortable

Marketplace

This is a show about life and how money messes with it. Each week, Marketplace’s Reema Khrais digs in with stories about the unanticipated ways money affects relationships, shapes identities and often defines what it means to be an adult. How much money do you lend a friend? Who can afford to vote? Can you get your life back after being wrongfully convicted?

How it all began: celebrating 10 seasons!

How it all began: celebrating 10 seasons!

Hard to believe, but we’re celebrating 10 seasons, and five years, of  “This Is Uncomfortable”! In this special episode, we’re pulling back the curtain to reveal the show’s origins, the biggest lessons Reema’s learned along the way and our favorite money tips from expert guests. Plus we’ll hear from you, our listeners, about the insights that have stuck with you through the years.  We’ll be back with a new season in 2025! For special content and updates on what’s next, subscribe to our newslette

Oct 24, 2024 • 36:20

Check your Venmo, please

Check your Venmo, please

Last spring, Jay Benedith and Ben Williams matched on a dating app and quickly hit it off. But just a few weeks into their budding romance, a Venmo request started to raise questions about their future together. What happens when your partner’s approach to money clashes with yours? Can nickel-and-diming jeopardize a connection?  If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!

Oct 17, 2024 • 32:53

Check your Venmo, please

Check your Venmo, please

Last spring, Jay Benedith and Ben Williams matched on a dating app and quickly hit it off. But just a few weeks into their budding romance, a Venmo request started to raise questions about their future together. What happens when your partner’s approach to money clashes with yours? Can nickel-and-diming jeopardize a connection?  If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!

Oct 17, 2024 • 32:53

The gifts of mortality and movement, from “Notes From America”

The gifts of mortality and movement, from “Notes From America”

This week, we’re sharing an episode of another podcast we think you’ll love. “Notes From America With Kai Wright” is a show from WNYC Studios about the unfinished business of our history, and its grip on our future. In this episode, Wright interviews choreographer Bill T. Jones about his groundbreaking dance performance “Still/Here.” Jones shares his reflections on creating such an essential piece of performance art amid the AIDS epidemic and while grieving his own partner, what he learned from

Oct 10, 2024 • 54:30

The gifts of mortality and movement, from “Notes From America”

The gifts of mortality and movement, from “Notes From America”

This week, we’re sharing an episode of another podcast we think you’ll love. “Notes From America With Kai Wright” is a show from WNYC Studios about the unfinished business of our history, and its grip on our future. In this episode, Wright interviews choreographer Bill T. Jones about his groundbreaking dance performance “Still/Here.” Jones shares his reflections on creating such an essential piece of performance art amid the AIDS epidemic and while grieving his own partner, what he learned from

Oct 10, 2024 • 54:30

When death is your career

When death is your career

What does it mean to make a living from death? From a young age, Joél Simone Maldonado was fascinated by mortality, leading her to a career as a funeral director, embalmer and sacred grief practitioner. In the final episode of our miniseries on grief and money, Reema Khrais talks with Joél about her profession: the tough conversations around money, the toll it takes on her mental health, and why she advocates for more cultural competency in death care. Also, Joél offers tips to financially prepa

Oct 3, 2024 • 36:41

When death is your career

When death is your career

What does it mean to make a living from death? From a young age, Joél Simone Maldonado was fascinated by mortality, leading her to a career as a funeral director, embalmer and sacred grief practitioner. In the final episode of our miniseries on grief and money, Reema Khrais talks with Joél about her profession: the tough conversations around money, the toll it takes on her mental health, and why she advocates for more cultural competency in death care. Also, Joél offers tips to financially prepa

Oct 3, 2024 • 36:41

Windfalls and vet bills

Windfalls and vet bills

In the early 90s, Mike Perry found himself in a tough spot. He was living a carefree life when he was asked to take in a black mutt named Wisdom. What began as a reluctant favor evolved into something much deeper — a bond that would reshape Mike’s financial future, even long after Wisdom was gone. This week, as part of our miniseries on grief and money, we explore how our love for pets shapes our financial decisions. Mike’s journey with Wisdom takes him from heartbreak to an unexpected windfall.

Sep 26, 2024 • 47:47

Windfalls and vet bills

Windfalls and vet bills

In the early 90s, Mike Perry found himself in a tough spot. He was living a carefree life when he was asked to take in a black mutt named Wisdom. What began as a reluctant favor evolved into something much deeper — a bond that would reshape Mike’s financial future, even long after Wisdom was gone. This week, as part of our miniseries on grief and money, we explore how our love for pets shapes our financial decisions. Mike’s journey with Wisdom takes him from heartbreak to an unexpected windfall.

Sep 26, 2024 • 47:47

The things we leave behind

The things we leave behind

While sorting through her father’s belongings after his death, Amanda Petteruti came across a collection of locked toolboxes. What she discovered inside made her rethink what she knew about her family’s finances and left her with unsettling questions about her dad: Why had he spent so much money on this secret hobby? Why was it now Amanda’s burden to handle? And how do you find closure with someone once they’re gone?  This episode is the first of a three-part miniseries exploring the intersectio

Sep 19, 2024 • 34:14

The things we leave behind

The things we leave behind

While sorting through her father’s belongings after his death, Amanda Petteruti came across a collection of locked toolboxes. What she discovered inside made her rethink what she knew about her family’s finances and left her with unsettling questions about her dad: Why had he spent so much money on this secret hobby? Why was it now Amanda’s burden to handle? And how do you find closure with someone once they’re gone?  This episode is the first of a three-part miniseries exploring the intersectio

Sep 19, 2024 • 34:14

Hired, fired, can’t retire (updated rerun)

Hired, fired, can’t retire (updated rerun)

This week, we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes and reconnecting with old friends for an update. Rebecca Danigelis never planned to stop working. She was an executive housekeeper in Boston raising two kids as a single mom, and everything she earned went to making sure they got the best education she could afford. When her son Sian-Pierre was climbing the ranks as a journalist and entrepreneur, it seemed like all the overtime, frozen dinners and sacrifice were worth it. But just as his c

Sep 12, 2024 • 48:41

Hired, fired, can’t retire (updated rerun)

Hired, fired, can’t retire (updated rerun)

This week, we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes and reconnecting with old friends for an update. Rebecca Danigelis never planned to stop working. She was an executive housekeeper in Boston raising two kids as a single mom, and everything she earned went to making sure they got the best education she could afford. When her son Sian-Pierre was climbing the ranks as a journalist and entrepreneur, it seemed like all the overtime, frozen dinners and sacrifice were worth it. But just as his c

Sep 12, 2024 • 48:41

Wait, I think I’m being underpaid

Wait, I think I’m being underpaid

Nikki Massie never had a reason to question her salary. After more than a decade with the same company, she’d earned awards, promotions and the trust of co-workers who felt like family. But then one day, she discovered she might have missed out on tens of thousands of dollars over the years. Nikki began to wonder: What do you do when you suspect you’ve been underpaid? And at what point do you consider walking away?  If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfor

Sep 5, 2024 • 28:23

Wait, I think I’m being underpaid

Wait, I think I’m being underpaid

Nikki Massie never had a reason to question her salary. After more than a decade with the same company, she’d earned awards, promotions and the trust of co-workers who felt like family. But then one day, she discovered she might have missed out on tens of thousands of dollars over the years. Nikki began to wonder: What do you do when you suspect you’ve been underpaid? And at what point do you consider walking away?  If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfor

Sep 5, 2024 • 28:23

What have you learned from the show?

What have you learned from the show?

As we reflect on 10 seasons of “This Is Uncomfortable,” Reema shares a snippet of a conversation with the show’s founder-producer, Hayley Hershman, about what they’ve learned from making the show and how their relationships with money have changed over the years. And we want to hear your thoughts, too! What’s something you’ve learned from listening to “TIU” over the years? You can tell us how your relationship with money or work has changed, or maybe what the show has made you think more deeply

Sep 3, 2024 • 4:11

What have you learned from the show?

What have you learned from the show?

As we reflect on 10 seasons of “This Is Uncomfortable,” Reema shares a snippet of a conversation with the show’s founder-producer, Hayley Hershman, about what they’ve learned from making the show and how their relationships with money have changed over the years. And we want to hear your thoughts, too! What’s something you’ve learned from listening to “TIU” over the years? You can tell us how your relationship with money or work has changed, or maybe what the show has made you think more deeply

Sep 3, 2024 • 4:11

“Why did you buy more bones?”

“Why did you buy more bones?”

Sisters Brittany Walsh and Nicole O’Neil have always been close. But when Nicole started experiencing mysterious health problems, her turn toward alternative treatments divided them. As Nicole spent more and more money on dubious cure-alls, Brittany was faced with a question: What do you do when you’re afraid the person closest to you might be losing themselves?  If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!

Aug 29, 2024 • 39:15

“Why did you buy more bones?”

“Why did you buy more bones?”

Sisters Brittany Walsh and Nicole O’Neil have always been close. But when Nicole started experiencing mysterious health problems, her turn toward alternative treatments divided them. As Nicole spent more and more money on dubious cure-alls, Brittany was faced with a question: What do you do when you’re afraid the person closest to you might be losing themselves?  If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!

Aug 29, 2024 • 39:15

Hanif Abdurraqib on what it means to “make it”

Hanif Abdurraqib on what it means to “make it”

For our season premiere, we’re sharing a conversation with one of our favorite writers, Hanif Abdurraqib. He joins Reema for a wide-ranging conversation about the moral judgments we’re quick to make about people’s financial circumstances, notions of success and legacy, and what it means to be “good” versus “bad” in an unequal world. Hanif also reveals one of the most challenging financial moments of his life and the reasons behind his commitment to giving away so much of his income. Hanif is an

Aug 22, 2024 • 36:22

Hanif Abdurraqib on what it means to “make it”

Hanif Abdurraqib on what it means to “make it”

For our season premiere, we’re sharing a conversation with one of our favorite writers, Hanif Abdurraqib. He joins Reema for a wide-ranging conversation about the moral judgments we’re quick to make about people’s financial circumstances, notions of success and legacy, and what it means to be “good” versus “bad” in an unequal world. Hanif also reveals one of the most challenging financial moments of his life and the reasons behind his commitment to giving away so much of his income. Hanif is an

Aug 22, 2024 • 36:22

“This Is Uncomfortable” is back Aug. 22

“This Is Uncomfortable” is back Aug. 22

“This Is Uncomfortable” returns for its 10th season (you read that right: 10th!) with brand-new episodes about life and how money messes with it. In our upcoming season, we’ve got stories about advocating for fair pay and how challenging it can be to support a loved one’s bad money choices. We’ll also explore how money complicates the way we grieve, and what it’s like to receive a huge windfall from beyond the grave. We share one man’s philosophy of how to redistribute wealth to build the commu

Aug 15, 2024 • 2:37

“This Is Uncomfortable” is back Aug. 22

“This Is Uncomfortable” is back Aug. 22

“This Is Uncomfortable” returns for its 10th season (you read that right: 10th!) with brand-new episodes about life and how money messes with it. In our upcoming season, we’ve got stories about advocating for fair pay and how challenging it can be to support a loved one’s bad money choices. We’ll also explore how money complicates the way we grieve, and what it’s like to receive a huge windfall from beyond the grave. We share one man’s philosophy of how to redistribute wealth to build the commu

Aug 15, 2024 • 2:37

An update from Hana

An update from Hana

When we last heard from Hana Albaioumy, she was grappling with an agonizing decision. She wanted to escape Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza, but it would cost her $10,000, most of her savings, to cross the border into Egypt.  Hana shares a complicated update with Reema: She managed to evacuate Gaza and flee to Cairo, but the decision came with a steep financial and emotional cost. Hana explains what it was like saying goodbye to her family, shares the challenges of navigating a new life in Egypt

Jun 28, 2024 • 27:00

An update from Hana

An update from Hana

When we last heard from Hana Albaioumy, she was grappling with an agonizing decision. She wanted to escape Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza, but it would cost her $10,000, most of her savings, to cross the border into Egypt.  Hana shares a complicated update with Reema: She managed to evacuate Gaza and flee to Cairo, but the decision came with a steep financial and emotional cost. Hana explains what it was like saying goodbye to her family, shares the challenges of navigating a new life in Egypt

Jun 28, 2024 • 27:00

Meet Jasmine! And her new pod, “Sacred Scandal: Nation of Saints”

Meet Jasmine! And her new pod, “Sacred Scandal: Nation of Saints”

Do you listen carefully to our credits every week? Then you might’ve heard of our “silent contributor,” Jasmine Romero, who has been editing “This Is Uncomfortable” for the past year and a half. And all along, she’s also been working on another podcast of her own, “Sacred Scandal: Nation of Saints.” It’s a show with a lot of Uncomfortable themes — immigration, family secrets and how money messes with politics. We’re sharing the first episode of Jasmine’s pod, but before we jump in, she tells Re

Jun 21, 2024 • 41:09

Meet Jasmine! And her new pod, “Sacred Scandal: Nation of Saints”

Meet Jasmine! And her new pod, “Sacred Scandal: Nation of Saints”

Do you listen carefully to our credits every week? Then you might’ve heard of our “silent contributor,” Jasmine Romero, who has been editing “This Is Uncomfortable” for the past year and a half. And all along, she’s also been working on another podcast of her own, “Sacred Scandal: Nation of Saints.” It’s a show with a lot of Uncomfortable themes — immigration, family secrets and how money messes with politics. We’re sharing the first episode

Jun 21, 2024 • 41:09

Join our Uncomfortable book club!

Join our Uncomfortable book club!

Hey y’all! We’re working on a new season coming at you this August, but over the summer we’re trying something new: The Uncomfortable Book Club! Every other week our newsletter will showcase a book that made us think differently about life and how money messes with it. All the details are in this episode, and when you sign up before June 15 at Marketplace.org/bookclub, you’ll be entered to win some merch from the show. Happy reading!

Jun 7, 2024 • 2:00

Join our Uncomfortable book club!

Join our Uncomfortable book club!

Hey y’all! We’re working on a new season coming at you this August, but over the summer we’re trying something new: The Uncomfortable Book Club! Every other week our newsletter will showcase a book that made us think differently about life and how money messes with it. All the details are in this episode, and when you sign up before June 15 at Marketplace.org/bookclub, you’ll be entered to win some merch from the show. Happy reading!

Jun 7, 2024 • 2:00

The promise of a miracle cure

The promise of a miracle cure

Doris Tyler has energy well beyond her 80 years. Even after retiring from her career as a music teacher, she remained active in her community — driving to church events, coming up with creative surprises for all her grandchildren. But then one day, she realized her vision was so blurry she couldn’t safely drive. When traditional medical treatment stopped working, Doris’ community came together to help her pay for a brand-new medical technology: stem cell injections.  If you liked this episode, s

Apr 18, 2024 • 41:35

The promise of a miracle cure

The promise of a miracle cure

Doris Tyler has energy well beyond her 80 years. Even after retiring from her career as a music teacher, she remained active in her community — driving to church events, coming up with creative surprises for all her grandchildren. But then one day, she realized her vision was so blurry she couldn’t safely drive. When traditional medical treatment stopped working, Doris’ community came together to help her pay for a brand-new medical technology: stem cell injections.  If you liked this episode, s

Apr 18, 2024 • 41:35

The high price of cheap clothes

The high price of cheap clothes

Lorena has been a garment worker in Los Angeles for over twenty years, going to work each day in a small factory to sew trendy fast fashion clothes for pennies per item. But one day, she decided enough was enough, and she took a stand against the poor work conditions and low pay. In part two of our mini-series on fast fashion, we look at the system of production: who pays the price for cheap clothes? And how might that system change for the better? If you liked this episode, share it with a frie

Apr 11, 2024 • 35:23

The high price of cheap clothes

The high price of cheap clothes

Lorena has been a garment worker in Los Angeles for over twenty years, going to work each day in a small factory to sew trendy fast fashion clothes for pennies per item. But one day, she decided enough was enough, and she took a stand against the poor work conditions and low pay. In part two of our mini-series on fast fashion, we look at the system of production: who pays the price for cheap clothes? And how might that system change for the better? If you liked this episode, share it with a frie

Apr 11, 2024 • 35:23

No more panic shopping

No more panic shopping

What’s behind our desire to reinvent ourselves through fashion? Is it even possible to shop sustainably? This week on the show, Reema sets out to answer these questions with help from fashion educator and sustainable stylist Lakyn Carlton, who shares her own journey away from fast fashion. Plus, producer Alice Wilder takes Reema on a thrifting journey in North Carolina, hunting for work clothes that will allow Reema to feel like herself without breaking the bank. This is Part

Apr 4, 2024 • 34:30

No more panic shopping

No more panic shopping

Apr 4, 2024 • 34:30

The bias we don’t talk about

The bias we don’t talk about

Lindsey Niehay dreamed of being a doctor since she was a teenager. But when she graduated from medical school and started a residency program in emergency medicine, she felt like her weight drew negative attention from colleagues. Then, she learned about the conversations happening behind her back. This is a story about how weight discrimination can derail a career, and why our legal system doesn’t offer the protections you might expect. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to

Mar 28, 2024 • 44:51

The bias we don’t talk about

The bias we don’t talk about

Lindsey Niehay dreamed of being a doctor since she was a teenager. But when she graduated from medical school and started a residency program in emergency medicine, she felt like her weight drew negative attention from colleagues. Then, she learned about the conversations happening behind her back. This is a story about how weight discrimination can derail a career, and why our legal system doesn’t offer the protections you might expect. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to

Mar 28, 2024 • 44:51

“How do I stop overspending?”

“How do I stop overspending?”

A while back, we asked you to share your money struggles, and we heard from many of you! In today’s episode, we booked a session with financial therapist Megan McCoy to answer your burning financial questions — everything from navigating financial differences among friends and talking to an avoidant partner about money plans, to making big career decisions and learning how to curb spending. As promised, here are some of the research studies and articles discussed in this episode: “Spending M

Mar 21, 2024 • 31:34

“How do I stop overspending?”

“How do I stop overspending?”

A while back, we asked you to share your money struggles, and we heard from many of you! In today’s episode, we booked a session with financial therapist Megan McCoy to answer your burning financial questions — everything from navigating financial differences among friends and talking to an avoidant partner about money plans, to making big career decisions and learning how to curb spending. As promised, here are some of the research studies and articles discussed in this episode: “Spen

Mar 21, 2024 • 31:34

So, who’s gonna pay for this?

So, who’s gonna pay for this?

Nicole and Rachel were deeply in love when they had their first serious fight about money. It seemed easily resolvable, but the disagreement dragged on for months and brought a lot more to the surface than they expected. This episode originally aired in 2022 and includes a short update at the end about how Rachel and Nicole are doing today. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!

Mar 14, 2024 • 31:49

So, who’s gonna pay for this?

So, who’s gonna pay for this?

Nicole and Rachel were deeply in love when they had their first serious fight about money. It seemed easily resolvable, but the disagreement dragged on for months and brought a lot more to the surface than they expected. This episode originally aired in 2022 and includes a short update at the end about how Rachel and Nicole are doing today. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!

Mar 14, 2024 • 31:49

You used to be so pretty

You used to be so pretty

Growing up, Haein Shim was taught that if she wanted to succeed, she needed to change her appearance. Shim was raised in South Korea, where a competitive job market and booming beauty industry combined to make careful beauty maintenance all but mandatory for gainful employment. By the time she was a young adult, she was spending hours a day and hundreds of dollars a month on makeup and clothes, until one day her friend asked, “Why do we spend so much money on our appearance?” That question upend

Mar 7, 2024 • 40:26

You used to be so pretty

You used to be so pretty

Growing up, Haein Shim was taught that if she wanted to succeed, she needed to change her appearance. Shim was raised in South Korea, where a competitive job market and booming beauty industry combined to make careful beauty maintenance all but mandatory for gainful employment. By the time she was a young adult, she was spending hours a day and hundreds of dollars a month on makeup and clothes, until one day her friend asked, “Why do we spend so much money on our appearance?” That question upend

Mar 7, 2024 • 40:26

Are rich people bad? From “Classy”

Are rich people bad? From “Classy”

This week, we’re sharing an episode from another podcast we think you’ll love. “Classy” is a new show from Pineapple Street Studios and Audacy exploring the ways that class infiltrates our day-to-day lives. Host Jonathan Menjivar has some hang-ups about class. In this episode, he takes us from a nightclub outside Los Angeles to the halls of a fancy Manhattan prep school, and asks sociologist Rachel Sherman, “Are rich people bad?”

Feb 29, 2024 • 46:12

Are rich people bad? From “Classy”

Are rich people bad? From “Classy”

This week, we’re sharing an episode from another podcast we think you’ll love. “Classy” is a new show from Pineapple Street Studios and Audacy exploring the ways that class infiltrates our day-to-day lives. Host Jonathan Menjivar has some hang-ups about class. In this episode, he takes us from a nightclub outside Los Angeles to the halls of a fancy Manhattan prep school, and asks sociologist Rachel Sherman, “Are rich people bad?”

Feb 29, 2024 • 46:12

Money talks, love listens

Money talks, love listens

Four years later, host Reema Khrais checks in with one of our favorite couples, Mandy and Zach. In our first season, they told us about the challenges they ran into early in their relationship around gift giving. Now, life’s latest milestones are forcing them to figure out how to become more fluent in each other’s languages — the ones they use to talk about life, love, and of course, money.

Feb 22, 2024 • 27:25

Money talks, love listens

Money talks, love listens

Four years later, host Reema Khrais checks in with one of our favorite couples, Mandy and Zach. In our first season, they told us about the challenges they ran into early in their relationship around gift giving. Now, life’s latest milestones are forcing them to figure out how to become more fluent in each other’s languages — the ones they use to talk about life, love, and of course, money.

Feb 22, 2024 • 27:25

Dream on a deadline

Dream on a deadline

At what point do you walk away from your dreams? Kashy gave himself a deadline: if he didn’t become a pop star by the time he turned 25, he’d give up music. But years after he left his music career behind, the universe gave him a second chance, thousands of miles from home.

Feb 15, 2024 • 35:54

Dream on a deadline

Dream on a deadline

At what point do you walk away from your dreams? Kashy gave himself a deadline: if he didn’t become a pop star by the time he turned 25, he’d give up music. But years after he left his music career behind, the universe gave him a second chance, thousands of miles from home.

Feb 15, 2024 • 35:54

First-gen finances, from “Financially Inclined”

First-gen finances, from “Financially Inclined”

We wanted to share a particularly uncomfy episode from Marketplace’s “Financially Inclined,” a financial literacy podcast for teens. Being a first-generation student can mean facing bigger financial pressures than your peers, with less generational knowledge and wealth. “Financially Inclined” host Yanely Espinal talks to Gigi Gonzalez, the First Gen Mentor, to help you navigate the unique pressures of being the first in your family – whether that’s being a first-gen American, first-gen college s

Feb 13, 2024 • 18:54

First-gen finances, from “Financially Inclined”

First-gen finances, from “Financially Inclined”

We wanted to share a particularly uncomfy episode from Marketplace’s “Financially Inclined,” a financial literacy podcast for teens. Being a first-generation student can mean facing bigger financial pressures than your peers, with less generational knowledge and wealth. “Financially Inclined” host Yanely Espinal talks to Gigi Gonzalez, the First Gen Mentor, to help you navigate the unique pressures of being the first in your family – whether that’s being a first-gen

Feb 13, 2024 • 18:54

My name is Hana

My name is Hana

Overnight, Hana’s life became unrecognizable. She used to enjoy quiet mornings in her lovingly decorated apartment in Gaza, but since Israel’s invasion forced her to evacuate, she’s now sleeping on the cold floor of a crowded house, fearful of airstrikes. Hana shares how the war is threatening the life she built for herself and the impossible financial calculations ahead of her.

Feb 8, 2024 • 48:06

My name is Hana

My name is Hana

Overnight, Hana’s life became unrecognizable. She used to enjoy quiet mornings in her lovingly decorated apartment in Gaza, but since Israel’s invasion forced her to evacuate, she’s now sleeping on the cold floor of a crowded house, fearful of airstrikes. Hana shares how the war is threatening the life she built for herself and the impossible financial calculations ahead of her.

Feb 8, 2024 • 48:06

A conversation with Baba

A conversation with Baba

In our new season premiere, Reema sits down with her father to reflect on how recent global headlines have been impacting their family in Gaza.

Feb 1, 2024 • 52:12

A conversation with Baba

A conversation with Baba

In our new season premiere, Reema sits down with her father to reflect on how recent global headlines have been impacting their family in Gaza.

Feb 1, 2024 • 52:12

“This Is Uncomfortable” is back Feb. 1

“This Is Uncomfortable” is back Feb. 1

“This Is Uncomfortable” returns for its ninth season Feb. 1, with brand-new episodes about life and how money messes with it. We’ve got stories about medical scams, workplace discrimination, the fast fashion industry and more. New episodes coming Thursdays.

Jan 25, 2024 • 3:44

“This Is Uncomfortable” is back Feb. 1

“This Is Uncomfortable” is back Feb. 1

“This Is Uncomfortable” returns for its ninth season Feb. 1, with brand-new episodes about life and how money messes with it. We’ve got stories about medical scams, workplace discrimination, the fast fashion industry and more. New episodes coming Thursdays.

Jan 25, 2024 • 3:44

A note from Reema

A note from Reema

Hey, Reema here. I just wanted to thank you all for listening to “This Is Uncomfortable” this year. We shared some great stories in 2023 and memorable conversations that I’m still mulling over. And we have some great new episodes coming for you soon in our ninth season, which starts Jan. 25. We could not have done this kind of reporting without your support. So thank you! Your support keeps our nonprofit newsroom and podcasts going and helps us bring you the rich, personal stories you love. If

Dec 20, 2023 • 2:31

A note from Reema

A note from Reema

Hey, Reema here. I just wanted to thank you all for listening to “This Is Uncomfortable” this year. We shared some great stories in 2023 and memorable conversations that I’m still mulling over. And we have some great new episodes coming for you soon in our ninth season, which starts Jan. 25. We could not have done this kind of reporting without your support. So thank you! Your support keeps our nonprofit newsroom and podcasts going and helps us bring you the rich, personal sto

Dec 20, 2023 • 2:31

Free rent’s gonna cost you

Free rent’s gonna cost you

What would you be willing to live with for free rent? No heat, mice in the walls, a toilet in the middle of an unfinished basement? Chris Badeker and Jake Daugherty went through all of it in an effort to save money and claw their way out of debt. But that free rent became the ultimate test of their friendship.

Dec 7, 2023 • 35:18

Free rent’s gonna cost you

Free rent’s gonna cost you

What would you be willing to live with for free rent? No heat, mice in the walls, a toilet in the middle of an unfinished basement? Chris Badeker and Jake Daugherty went through all of it in an effort to save money and claw their way out of debt. But that free rent became the ultimate test of their friendship.

Dec 7, 2023 • 35:18

Instrument of sabotage (rerun)

Instrument of sabotage (rerun)

In the cutthroat world of professional classical music, Eric Abramovitz was headed toward a shining career. Until something — or someone — got in the way. We’re revisiting this episode from our first season with an update about where Abramovitz is now.

Nov 30, 2023 • 27:58

Instrument of sabotage (rerun)

Instrument of sabotage (rerun)

In the cutthroat world of professional classical music, Eric Abramovitz was headed toward a shining career. Until something — or someone — got in the way. We’re revisiting this episode from our first season with an update about where Abramovitz is now.

Nov 30, 2023 • 27:58

Are they serious? from “Tiny Huge Decisions”

Are they serious? from “Tiny Huge Decisions”

We have a special treat for you today! We’re sharing an episode of the new podcast from APM Studios and Chalk + Blade called “Tiny Huge Decisions.” This is a story about two best friends, Mohsin and Dalia, as they make a life-changing decision: Will Dalia be the gestational surrogate for Mohsin and his husband? It’s emotional, intimate and more than a little complicated. Here’s Episode 1!   Subscribe to “Tiny Huge Decisions” now to listen to the whole season.

Nov 23, 2023 • 35:07

Are they serious? from “Tiny Huge Decisions”

Are they serious? from “Tiny Huge Decisions”

We have a special treat for you today! We’re sharing an episode of the new podcast from APM Studios and Chalk + Blade called “Tiny Huge Decisions.” This is a story about two best friends, Mohsin and Dalia, as they make a life-changing decision: Will Dalia be the gestational surrogate for Mohsin and his husband? It’s emotional, intimate and more than a little complicated. Here’s Episode 1!   Subscribe to “Tiny Huge Decisions” now to listen to the whole season.

Nov 23, 2023 • 35:07

Broken hearts can break the bank

Broken hearts can break the bank

You’re heartbroken. You just got out of a relationship, and now you have to figure out who you are and what you want as this newly single you. But that can be expensive. This week on This is Uncomfortable, one woman’s unique way of coping, plus listeners give us a glimpse into their post-breakup splurges.

Nov 16, 2023 • 27:15

Broken hearts can break the bank

Broken hearts can break the bank

You’re heartbroken. You just got out of a relationship, and now you have to figure out who you are and what you want as this newly single you. But that can be expensive. This week on This is Uncomfortable, one woman’s unique way of coping, plus listeners give us a glimpse into their post-breakup splurges.

Nov 16, 2023 • 27:15

Ask a financial therapist

Ask a financial therapist

This is Uncomfortable wants your help: What question would you ask a financial therapist?    How can I stop feeling guilty about spending money? How do I start a hard conversation with my partner about debt? How can I talk to my friends about the difference in our salaries? Whatever your question is, send it our way. Reema’s going to sit down with a financial therapist and get you some answers.    Send us a voice memo at uncomfortable@marketplace.org or call us at ‪(347) 746-4848‬.

Oct 6, 2023 • 1:04

Ask a financial therapist

Ask a financial therapist

This is Uncomfortable wants your help: What question would you ask a financial therapist?  How can I stop feeling guilty about spending money? How do I start a hard conversation with my partner about debt? How can I talk to my friends about the difference in our salaries? Whatever your question is, send it our way. Reema’s going to sit down with a financial therapist and get you some answers.  Send us a voice memo at uncomfortable@marketplace.org or call us at ‪(347) 746-4848‬.

Oct 6, 2023 • 1:04

Wedding bells, and bills, from “Death, Sex & Money”

Wedding bells, and bills, from “Death, Sex & Money”

What does a wedding cost? In this episode, our friends at “Death, Sex & Money” share what their listeners are paying to tie the knot — from one couple’s micro-wedding that left family members questioning why they weren’t invited to a surprise potluck wedding in the backyard.

Aug 21, 2023 • 44:25

A better life

A better life

When Susan was a teenager, she set out to find answers about her birth parents. As an adoptee, she longed to know where she came from. When she eventually reunited with her birth parents as a teenager, she thought she’d finally feel at peace. She couldn’t have known that many years later, she’d find herself in a very similar position, only this time longing for her own child. We follow Susan’s deeply personal story, taking a look at the interplay of money and adoption, and how history can have a

Jul 13, 2023 • 54:16

A better life

A better life

When Susan was a teenager, she set out to find answers about her birth parents. As an adoptee, she longed to know where she came from. When she eventually reunited with her birth parents as a teenager, she thought she’d finally feel at peace. She couldn’t have known that many years later, she’d find herself in a very similar position, only this time longing for her own child. We follow Susan’s deeply personal story, taking a look at the interplay of money and adoption, and how history can have a

Jul 13, 2023 • 54:16

What happened to my money?

What happened to my money?

Who can you trust with your money? Your parents? Your spouse? Or do you really need to keep control every step of the way? This week on the show, two stories of what happens when people don’t have control of their own finances. Sally, a 79-year-old listener, wrote to us about an experience with her second husband that still haunts her to this day. And we revisit a previous guest on the show, Hayli McKnight, who told us back in season one about the time her father spent her college savings. It tu

Jul 6, 2023 • 36:23

What happened to my money?

What happened to my money?

Who can you trust with your money? Your parents? Your spouse? Or do you really need to keep control every step of the way? This week on the show, two stories of what happens when people don’t have control of their own finances. Sally, a 79-year-old listener, wrote to us about an experience with her second husband that still haunts her to this day. And we revisit a previous guest on the show, Hayli McKnight, who told us back in season one about the time her father spent her college savings.

Jul 6, 2023 • 36:23

Reality (TV) bites

Reality (TV) bites

When reality dating fans tune into their favorite shows like “The Bachelor,” they expect to see dramatic rejections, hateable villains—all the staple elements of the genre. These formulas keep audiences watching and keep the money rolling in for TV networks. And for a relatively small price—networks don’t have to pay teams of writers, and sometimes they don’t even pay the cast. But while corporations profit, there is a hidden cost for the people who make these shows so entertaining. On this epis

Jun 29, 2023 • 44:27

Reality (TV) bites

Reality (TV) bites

When reality dating fans tune into their favorite shows like “The Bachelor,” they expect to see dramatic rejections, hateable villains—all the staple elements of the genre. These formulas keep audiences watching and keep the money rolling in for TV networks. And for a relatively small price—networks don’t have to pay teams of writers, and sometimes they don’t even pay the cast. But while corporations profit, there is a hidden cost for the people who make these shows so entertaining. On this epis

Jun 29, 2023 • 44:27

“Not Your Average” from “Bodies”

“Not Your Average” from “Bodies”

This week, we’re sharing an episode from one of our favorite podcasts, “Bodies,” a medical documentary series. In the fall of 2021, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first treatment for achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism. But not everyone is celebrating. This controversial treatment is forcing parents of children with achondroplasia to grapple with an age-old question: What’s best for my child?

Jun 22, 2023 • 37:58

Lost and found, featuring “Snap Judgment”

Lost and found, featuring “Snap Judgment”

What do you do when you find money? What if we’re talking about a lot of money? “This Is Uncomfortable” joins up with “Snap Judgment” to explore the ethics of finders-keepers.  To get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter.

Jun 15, 2023 • 44:52

Lost and found, featuring “Snap Judgment”

Lost and found, featuring “Snap Judgment”

What do you do when you find money? What if we’re talking about a lot of money? “This Is Uncomfortable” joins up with “Snap Judgment” to explore the ethics of finders-keepers.  To get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter.

Jun 15, 2023 • 44:52

The crude reality of debt

The crude reality of debt

When Kate Beaton graduated college, she had exactly one goal: get rid of her student debt as fast as possible. The goal took priority over everything else in her life, including the dream of trying to make it as an artist. But when she decided to take a job in the oil sands of Alberta, Canada, she didn’t know she would be entering a workplace that was a world of its own, where the ordinary rules of society would not always apply.

Jun 8, 2023 • 43:51

The crude reality of debt

The crude reality of debt

When Kate Beaton graduated college, she had exactly one goal: get rid of her student debt as fast as possible. The goal took priority over everything else in her life, including the dream of trying to make it as an artist. But when she decided to take a job in the oil sands of Alberta, Canada, she didn’t know she would be entering a workplace that was a world of its own, where the ordinary rules of society would not always apply.

Jun 8, 2023 • 43:51

It’s not my fault I was poor

It’s not my fault I was poor

We follow up with a listener and former guest who wrote to us about her struggle with class anxiety during our first season. We’ll also share an excerpt of Marketplace’s latest podcast, “Financially Inclined,” featuring an interview with Reema discussing emotions around money.

Jun 1, 2023 • 28:34

It’s not my fault I was poor

It’s not my fault I was poor

We follow up with a listener and former guest who wrote to us about her struggle with class anxiety during our first season. We’ll also share an excerpt of Marketplace’s latest podcast, “Financially Inclined,” featuring an interview with Reema discussing emotions around money.

Jun 1, 2023 • 28:34

Pay pigs and piggy banks

Pay pigs and piggy banks

Matt knew from a young age that he was kinky and submissive, but he never understood the appeal of financial submission … until he tried it for himself. Give now to support “This Is Uncomfortable” during our May fundraiser.

May 25, 2023 • 42:08

Pay pigs and piggy banks

Pay pigs and piggy banks

Matt knew from a young age that he was kinky and submissive, but he never understood the appeal of financial submission … until he tried it for himself. Give now to support “This Is Uncomfortable” during our May fundraiser.

May 25, 2023 • 42:08

The cost of secrets

The cost of secrets

For years, Quinn held onto a terrible secret. It took a huge toll not just on their mental health, but also on their career trajectory and financial life. When Quinn learns they aren’t alone with this secret, it leads them down an astonishing path they never could have imagined. Content warning: This episode deals with issues of grooming and sexual abuse. We hope our listeners take care while tuning in. Give now to support “This Is Uncomfortable” during our May fundraiser.

May 18, 2023 • 52:42

The cost of secrets

The cost of secrets

For years, Quinn held onto a terrible secret. It took a huge toll not just on their mental health, but also on their career trajectory and financial life. When Quinn learns they aren’t alone with this secret, it leads them down an astonishing path they never could have imagined. Content warning: This episode deals with issues of grooming and sexual abuse. We hope our listeners take care while tuning in. Give now to support “This Is Uncomfortable” during our May fundraiser.

May 18, 2023 • 52:42

The price of eggs

The price of eggs

When Ashleigh was a freshman in college, she saw a flier: earn up to $10,000 by selling your eggs. She thought, “Sure, I could use the money!” Her decision to sell her eggs set her on a journey that would define the next ten years of her life. And it would fundamentally change the way she thought about starting her own family. Give now to support “This Is Uncomfortable” during our May fundraiser.

May 18, 2023 • 42:17

The price of eggs

The price of eggs

When Ashleigh was a freshman in college, she saw a flier: earn up to $10,000 by selling your eggs. She thought, “Sure, I could use the money!” Her decision to sell her eggs set her on a journey that would define the next ten years of her life. And it would fundamentally change the way she thought about starting her own family. Give now to support “This Is Uncomfortable” during our May fundraiser.

May 18, 2023 • 42:17

We’re diving into the costs of keeping secrets on May 18

We’re diving into the costs of keeping secrets on May 18

“This Is Uncomfortable” is back for its eighth season on May 18. This season, we’re exploring how secrets shape our financial lives — the secrets we keep and the secrets we want to know. We’ll look at how those secrets take a toll, from the traumas we hold on to, to the price we’ll pay to learn the truth. Listen to the trailer, and follow “This Is Uncomfortable” wherever you get podcasts. And to get even more Uncomfortable during the season, sign up for our newsletter. Each Friday morni

May 11, 2023 • 2:57

We’re diving into the costs of keeping secrets on May 18

We’re diving into the costs of keeping secrets on May 18

“This Is Uncomfortable” is back for its eighth season on May 18. This season, we’re exploring how secrets shape our financial lives — the secrets we keep and the secrets we want to know. We’ll look at how those secrets take a toll, from the traumas we hold on to, to the price we’ll pay to learn the truth. Listen to the trailer, and follow “This Is Uncomfortable” wherever you get podcasts. And to get even more Uncomfortable during the season, sign up for our newsletter. Each Friday

May 11, 2023 • 2:57

“Other People’s Pockets” (from Pushkin)

“Other People’s Pockets” (from Pushkin)

This week, we’re sharing a preview of “Other People’s Pockets” from Pushkin Industries and Little Everywhere. Have you ever wondered how your friend bought that vacation home or why that colleague of yours makes everyone meticulously split the tab down to the last Diet Coke? “Other People’s Pockets” is a show from Pushkin and Little Everywhere about other people’s money. Journalist Maya Lau asks people from all walks of life to get radically transparent about their personal finances in order to

Mar 29, 2023 • 11:27

Wife Strike

Wife Strike

Fed up with her husband not doing his part around the house, Jalie Gil decided to go on strike and document it all on TikTok. When the strike went viral, her private struggle for equitable housework became something of a reality show. Jalie updated every day, and viewers cheered her on from the virtual picket line. But in the real world, her marriage was being pushed to its breaking point. This week: How Jalie’s strike transformed her marriage and her world view.   This episode was reported by R

Dec 8, 2022 • 39:27

Wife Strike

Wife Strike

Fed up with her husband not doing his part around the house, Jalie Gil decided to go on strike and document it all on TikTok. When the strike went viral, her private struggle for equitable housework became something of a reality show. Jalie updated every day, and viewers cheered her on from the virtual picket line. But in the real world, her marriage was being pushed to its breaking point. This week: How Jalie’s strike transformed her marriage and her world view. This episode was reported

Dec 8, 2022 • 39:27

For richer or for poorer

For richer or for poorer

Marriage is all about beginnings, but staying married can often depend on how well two people adapt to change. The changes for Taylor and Gavin have been constant in the 14 years since they said, “I do.” There have been struggles and arguments over money, or the lack thereof. But even when money’s been the problem, having more of it hasn’t always been the solution. This week, we’ll hear the story of how they held things together and what they expect from each other when the unexpected keeps happ

Dec 1, 2022 • 39:21

For richer or for poorer

For richer or for poorer

Marriage is all about beginnings, but staying married can often depend on how well two people adapt to change. The changes for Taylor and Gavin have been constant in the 14 years since they said, “I do.” There have been struggles and arguments over money, or the lack thereof. But even when money’s been the problem, having more of it hasn’t always been the solution. This week, we’ll hear the story of how they held things together and what they expect from each other when the unexpected keeps happ

Dec 1, 2022 • 39:21

How to start a new job (from NPR’s “Life Kit”)

How to start a new job (from NPR’s “Life Kit”)

“Life Kit” host Marielle Segarra asks friends and family for advice on how to overcome her new-job jitters, meet new colleagues at NPR and stay confident. “Life Kit” was produced by Summer Thomad.

Nov 24, 2022 • 18:19

Bait & switch

Bait & switch

How far would you go to right a wrong? When Kari meets a nice man on a dating site, it feels like a dream come true. But when the relationship turns into more than she bargained for — she sets off on a crime-fighting quest that forces her to reevaluate her world and herself. This episode was reported and produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Karen Duffin and engineered by Drew Jostad.

Nov 17, 2022 • 44:29

Bait & switch

Bait & switch

How far would you go to right a wrong? When Kari meets a nice man on a dating site, it feels like a dream come true. But when the relationship turns into more than she bargained for — she sets off on a crime-fighting quest that forces her to reevaluate her world and herself. This episode was reported and produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Karen Duffin and engineered by Drew Jostad.

Nov 17, 2022 • 44:29

Give and take

Give and take

How much generosity is too much? Would you pay for your friend’s lunch every week? Or risk falling behind on bills to pay for a Christmas gift? And what does it take to ask strangers to be generous with you? We tend to think of generosity as a good thing, but it can also get… complicated. This week: three stories about giving and receiving generosity, and how it changes our relationships and ourselves.    This episode was reported by Reema Khrais, produced by Alice Wilder with support from

Nov 10, 2022 • 37:00

Give and take

Give and take

How much generosity is too much? Would you pay for your friend’s lunch every week? Or risk falling behind on bills to pay for a Christmas gift? And what does it take to ask strangers to be generous with you? We tend to think of generosity as a good thing, but it can also get… complicated. This week: three stories about giving and receiving generosity, and how it changes our relationships and ourselves.    This episode was reported by Reema Khrais, produced by Alice Wilder with support from Camil

Nov 10, 2022 • 37:00

Partnered: Mixing business with pleasure (from “Embodied”)

Partnered: Mixing business with pleasure (from “Embodied”)

This week, we’re running a story from WUNC’s award-winning sex and relationships podcast “Embodied.” Each week, host Anita Rao guides listeners on an exploration of our brains and our bodies that touches down in taboo territory. Anita does not work with her boo, but after sharing home office space for two pandemic years, she’s started to wonder how couples who *do* work together make it work. In this episode, she talks with two sets of couples in very different professional industries about the

Nov 3, 2022 • 39:58

Coach Schmo

Coach Schmo

When Joe Hanson got the call to start a varsity esports team at the local community college, he didn’t know what to think. He already had a full time job. He had a family to think about. And this coaching gig, it was basically a glorified volunteer position. Plus, he didn’t even know what “esports” really meant. But this opportunity stirred something within Joe that he couldn’t ignore… In this episode, we follow Coach Joe and his ragtag team of gamers as they go up against the best and try to pr

Oct 27, 2022 • 44:27

Coach Schmo

Coach Schmo

When Joe Hanson got the call to start a varsity esports team at the local community college, he didn’t know what to think. He already had a full time job. He had a family to think about. And this coaching gig, it was basically a glorified volunteer position. Plus, he didn’t even know what “esports” really meant. But this opportunity stirred something within Joe that he couldn’t ignore… In this episode, we follow Coach Joe and his ragtag team of gamers as they go up against the best and try to pr

Oct 27, 2022 • 44:27

Money Horrors

Money Horrors

Halloween is almost here, which means it’s time for some Money Horror stories! When Abigail Keel got a call saying she might be a victim of identity theft, she had no idea what to do. All she could hope for was that the government official on the other line could help her protect her savings. We’ll go on that harrowing journey with her. Then, Zinzile Sibanda couldn’t have been more excited about being a bridesmaid in her college best friend’s wedding. But when unexpected health issues drive a ri

Oct 20, 2022 • 38:54

Money Horrors

Money Horrors

Halloween is almost here, which means it’s time for some Money Horror stories! When Abigail Keel got a call saying she might be a victim of identity theft, she had no idea what to do. All she could hope for was that the government official on the other line could help her protect her savings. We’ll go on that harrowing journey with her. Then, Zinzile Sibanda couldn’t have been more excited about being a bridesmaid in her college best friend’s wedding. But when unexpected health issues driv

Oct 20, 2022 • 38:54

Breaking the Oath, Part 2

Breaking the Oath, Part 2

What do dried apple slices, bear spray and divorce debt have to do with the Jan. 6 insurrection? You’ll find out in this episode. When Stewart Rhodes launched the alt-right militia group the Oath Keepers, his wife, Tasha Adams, hoped that this just might be the key to a better life for their family. And right away, the Oath Keepers started attracting a lot of attention … and money. Stewart was finally getting the following and admiration he’d always told his family that he deserved. But instead

Oct 13, 2022 • 43:55

Breaking the Oath, Part 2

Breaking the Oath, Part 2

What do dried apple slices, bear spray and divorce debt have to do with the Jan. 6 insurrection? You’ll find out in this episode. When Stewart Rhodes launched the alt-right militia group the Oath Keepers, his wife, Tasha Adams, hoped that this just might be the key to a better life for their family. And right away, the Oath Keepers started attracting a lot of attention … and money. Stewart was finally getting the following and admiration he’d always told his family that he deserved. But instead

Oct 13, 2022 • 43:55

Breaking the Oath, Part 1

Breaking the Oath, Part 1

Tasha met Stewart soon after she finished high school and was working as a dance instructor in Las Vegas. He promised her the world — but instead gave her a life very different from her  romantic dream. Over the next two decades, he pressured Tasha into providing emotional and financial support while she and their six children lived in poverty and isolation. Meanwhile, Stewart’s political ambitions grew and grew — because Tasha’s husband is Stewart Rhodes, founder of the alt-right militia group

Oct 6, 2022 • 29:01

Breaking the Oath, Part 1

Breaking the Oath, Part 1

Tasha met Stewart soon after she finished high school and was working as a dance instructor in Las Vegas. He promised her the world — but instead gave her a life very different from her  romantic dream. Over the next two decades, he pressured Tasha into providing emotional and financial support while she and their six children lived in poverty and isolation. Meanwhile, Stewart’s political ambitions grew and grew — because Tasha’s husband is Stewart Rhodes, founder of the alt-right militia group

Oct 6, 2022 • 29:01

On Oct. 6, we’re exploring expectations vs. reality

On Oct. 6, we’re exploring expectations vs. reality

“This Is Uncomfortable,” our podcast all about life and how money messes with it, returns for our seventh season on Oct. 6. This season, we’re looking at some of the expectations we carry with us about how life should play out, and all the ways money can interfere with the best-laid plans and lead us to a totally different reality. We’ll take a look at the roller coaster of married life, the secretive world of scam baiting, the competitive world of college esports, h

Sep 29, 2022 • 2:55

No money, no baby

No money, no baby

Carrie Mansmith and her wife, Natalia, both know they want to be moms. They fantasize about raising a baby together, fawn over onesies, and they even have a name picked out. But lately, they’ve been wrestling with a question that they each have very different answers to: How much money is enough money to bring a kid into the world?

Jul 7, 2022 • 30:13

What’s mine is not yours (rerun)

What’s mine is not yours (rerun)

This episode originally aired in May 2021. When Lindsey Galbraith’s marriage ended over financial infidelity, she swore she would never mix money and relationships again. Then she met someone new. This week, we look at the aftermath of betrayal and how the consequences can last far beyond that one relationship. Plus, we eavesdrop on a money conversation between her and her new partner — the kind of talk that usually happens behind closed doors.

Jun 30, 2022 • 31:02

Together, apart

Together, apart

Six years in, Sana and Adnan Akhand loved being married to each other. But sharing everything — their apartment in New York City, their money, the household duties, all their free time — shook the balance of power in their marriage, and they ended up feeling stuck. They were looking for a big reset, and found that they had to interrogate their fundamental ideas about what makes a good marriage to see their future together.

Jun 23, 2022 • 38:05

Let’s take it slow

Let’s take it slow

Adam had worked his way up to manager at a branch of a global bank, only to see his responsibilities double during the pandemic. After trying to make it work, the extra duties without extra pay began to compromise his well-being. Adam decided to slow down — to do only what he physically and mentally could without overworking himself. In this episode, we’ll look at what happens when workers slow down and explore the historical precedent for reclaiming your body and time at work. If you like

Jun 16, 2022 • 34:53

Bad romance (rerun)

Bad romance (rerun)

This episode originally aired May 2021. Mira Celper had always wanted to be best friends with her mom, but their relationship grew strained once her mom started dating the mysterious David, a successful engineer. As her mom fell deeper in love, Mira couldn’t shake the feeling that something about David was off. So she set out to find the truth. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter. Each Friday you’ll get a note from R

Jun 9, 2022 • 37:05

The naked truth

The naked truth

Growing up, Chris was bullied. He was always the heaviest kid in the class, and his peers relentlessly made fun of him and his body. But Chris had a secret — something he wanted to do with his body that he never told a soul. This week, he revisits what it took for him to finally answer his secret calling. If you like this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter. Each Friday, you’ll get a note from Reema and some recs from the Uncomfortable

Jun 2, 2022 • 32:01

Hired, fired, can’t retire

Hired, fired, can’t retire

Rebecca Danigelis never planned to stop working. She was an executive housekeeper in Boston raising two kids as a single mom, and everything she earned went to making sure they got the best education she could afford. When her son Sian-Pierre was climbing the ranks as a journalist and entrepreneur, it seemed like all the overtime, frozen dinners and sacrifice were worth it. Just as his career was taking off, however, hers started to crumble. If you like this episode, share it with a friend. And

May 26, 2022 • 36:33

Finding Michael, part two

Finding Michael, part two

Last week, we followed Stephanie Stone’s years long journey to find her late brother Michael’s gravesite. This week, our team picks up the search. Along the way, we learned a lot about what happens to the thousands of people who die indigent and go unclaimed every year in this U.S. Later, Reema travels to Austin with Stone and a Texas bureaucrat who goes above and beyond to help families find closure. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, su

May 19, 2022 • 31:39

Finding Michael, part one

Finding Michael, part one

When Stephanie Stone’s older brother Michael died, their family didn’t have the money to pay for his burial. His body went unclaimed, and the county where he was living made arrangements. Years later, Stone doesn’t know where he was laid to rest. In this episode, we follow Stephanie’s quest to find her late brother and dig into what it reveals about the economic and emotional toll of losing a loved one. Next week, we’ll join in the search. If you liked this episode, share it wi

May 12, 2022 • 25:03

So, who’s gonna pay for this?

So, who’s gonna pay for this?

Nicole and Rachel were deeply, happily in love when they had their first serious fight about money. Nicole’s two-year old nephew accidentally scratched up Rachel’s car, leaving them to figure out who was responsible for paying to fix it. To Rachel, it seemed obvious: Nicole’s family was responsible. Nicole didn’t see it that way. During the months-long fight, both women realized their fight about money was really about something else. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend

May 5, 2022 • 30:35

On May 5, “This is Uncomfortable” is back!

On May 5, “This is Uncomfortable” is back!

“This is Uncomfortable,” our show about life and how money messes with it, is back for a new season starting May 5! This season, we’re exploring love and relationships of all kinds. Because there’s probably no close relationship — be it with friends, family or coworkers — where money doesn’t make things weird. And sometimes the fights you think are about money are not actually about money at all. Check out the trailer above, and follow “This Is Uncomfortable” wherev

Apr 22, 2022 • 3:20

The Mariachi Rent Strike

The Mariachi Rent Strike

The Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles has historically been home to tightknit immigrant communities. Francisco Gonzalez had lived in an apartment a block away from the neighborhood’s Mariachi Plaza for a decade when the building was sold, and the new owner nearly doubled his rent. Several of Gonzalez’s neighbors got rent hikes too. At first, Gonzalez figured he had no choice but to get out, but then he learned about another option. On this week’s show, the last of our f

Dec 16, 2021 • 32:25

Chasing hippos

Chasing hippos

Gina Serna is helping lead Colombia’s effort to sterilize the roughly 120 invasive hippos roaming the Magdalena River — hippos that were never supposed to be there at all. They were illegally imported decades ago by Pablo Escobar, the country’s most notorious drug lord. In many ways, it’s the perfect job for Serna. She dreamed of being a wildlife veterinarian since she was little. On the other hand, her career has a direct tie to the worst thing that’s ever happened to he

Dec 9, 2021 • 32:10

Endless circle of debt

Endless circle of debt

When Dalip Singh became taxi driver in New York City, he thought it’d be his ticket to the middle class. It would take years before he discovered that he’d instead bought into a massive lending scam, one that would go on for decades, pushing him and thousands of other drivers into extreme debt. Now, as Dalip and his family try to get ahead, they find themselves struggling against the exact systems they thought were meant to help them. “This Is Uncomfortable” is Reema Khrais, Donna Tam, Megan Det

Dec 2, 2021 • 38:11

The College Fund (rerun)

The College Fund (rerun)

When you’re a kid, your parents make all the financial decisions for you. But what happens when you grow up … and don’t agree with their choices? We’re off this week for the Thanksgiving holiday. This episode originally aired in July 2019.

Nov 25, 2021 • 25:04

White Gold (from “How We Survive”)

White Gold (from “How We Survive”)

This week, we’re running a story from our colleagues at the new Marketplace podcast “How We Survive.” It’s about the climate, but it’s not all doom and gloom. It explores solutions for avoiding some of the worst effects of the crisis. If you liked this story, be sure to follow “How We Survive” wherever you get podcasts.

Nov 18, 2021 • 38:40

Alimony till death

Alimony till death

When Sonia Delgado divorced her husband after 30 years of a bad marriage, she thought she’d finally seized financial freedom. She’d no longer have to go along with her ex’s money decisions, which had landed them in chronic debt and insecurity. But when she learned she would have to pay him alimony for the rest of her life, it was as though the divorce had tethered her, once and for all, to everything she wanted to leave behind. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend.

Nov 11, 2021 • 35:53

Family secrets

Family secrets

Matthew Chow spent his adult life trying to build a close relationship with his estranged father. But just when he felt like he made real progress, his father passed away. In the will he found a secret his father had kept buried for decades — one that sent Matthew on a monthslong journey that  changed how he thought about not only his father, but the very idea of family. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter. Each Frida

Nov 4, 2021 • 37:36

Ruin-your-life money

Ruin-your-life money

What happens when you stumble on something with the potential to change your life? Oscar (not their real name) was going through a rough patch in life when they found a bag of money in their dim basement apartment in Montreal. It was enough to propel their life in a different direction. First, they almost had a panic attack. Later, a gnawing regret consumed them. “This Is Uncomfortable” is Reema Khrais, Donna Tam, Megan Detrie, Peter Balonon-Rosen, Camila Kerwin, Phoebe Unterman, Marque Greene a

Oct 28, 2021 • 32:23

Just trust me

Just trust me

When Ibby Hanlon started experiencing mysterious and debilitating pain, she put her faith in the medical system to find a solution. After a series of unexpected events forever changed her body — and her finances — her trust in the system shattered. This week, we dissect trust between doctors and patients. “This Is Uncomfortable” is Reema Khrais, Donna Tam, Megan Detrie, Peter Balonon-Rosen, Camila Kerwin, Phoebe Unterman, Marque Greene and Serena Chow.

Oct 21, 2021 • 35:47

No more money, please

No more money, please

The more Morgan Curtis learned about the source of her family’s multi-generation wealth — from gold mining, to fossil fuel investment, to slave ownership — the less she wanted anything to do with it. When she started to give away half a million dollars to social justice organizations in her late twenties, her dad told her he may write her out of her future inheritance. In this episode, we hear from them both. For even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter! Each Friday you’ll get a note

Oct 14, 2021 • 42:47

On Oct. 14, we’re airing out our dirty laundry

On Oct. 14, we’re airing out our dirty laundry

“This Is Uncomfortable” is a podcast about our money and our feelings. And a lot of the money stuff we have the most feelings about we also like to keep secret. In season five, the secret’s out. We’re revealing family secrets, learning about the true cost of divorce, investigating mysterious piles cash and so much more. We’ll have new episodes every Thursday starting this week, on Oct. 14. Listen to the trailer above or wherever you get podcasts. To get even

Oct 11, 2021 • 1:55

Meet the scammer

Meet the scammer

How do you bounce back from getting scammed? Become a scammer yourself, obviously. The inside story of a young man’s transformation into an online scammer — and the lengths he goes to for money when no one is looking. To keep up with us in the off-season, subscribe to our newsletter! Each Friday you’ll get a note from Reema, a story from a listener and some recs from the Uncomfortable team. You’ll also be the first to hear about our new season. It’s all exclusively for our email list, so d

Jun 24, 2021 • 32:42

A big, fat loophole

A big, fat loophole

What if we told you there was a way to walk away from your debts with no financial consequences? There’s just one big catch. By 21, Anthony was on top of the world: He had a six-figure salary, a loft apartment and a car with heated seats. But when the 2008 recession hit, he lost it all. And in trying to climb back up the ladder, he landed himself in $200,000 worth of debt. That is, until he found a loophole that would let him avoid ever paying it back. For even more “This Is Uncomfortable,” subs

Jun 17, 2021 • 29:26

Going off script

Going off script

Many of us feel pressure to hit life milestones by a certain age. But what if that prepackaged timeline — finishing school, achieving financial stability, getting married, having children — just doesn’t work for you? Ana Sauceda always struggled at school, but her parents put a high value on a college education. She spent a decade trying to fit her parent’s script before throwing it out and writing her own. For more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter! Each Friday you’ll get a note

Jun 10, 2021 • 29:00

Productivity won’t save you (rerun)

Productivity won’t save you (rerun)

We live in a world that rewards us for producing, and producing, and producing. But why is it that no matter how much we do, it never feels like enough? This week, we’re going to look at our obsession with productivity — the exhausting effort to be completely optimized in work and outside of it. Plus: Do you have a money secret? The last episode of our season is about them, and funny or serious, we want to hear about it! Give us a call at 347-RING-TIU (347-746-4848).

Jun 3, 2021 • 28:00

Bad romance

Bad romance

Mira Celper had always wanted to be best friends with her mom, but their relationship grew strained once her mom started dating the mysterious David, a successful engineer. As her mom fell deeper in love, Mira couldn’t shake the feeling that something about David was off. So she set out to find the truth. Power this podcast! Give any amount today to help us reach our fundraising goal: marketplace.org/giveTIU “This Is Uncomfortable” is Reema Khrais, Megan Detrie, Hayley Hershman, Peter Balonon-Ro

May 27, 2021 • 39:36

I need more money because I need more money

I need more money because I need more money

Growing up, Aisha Salaudeen always considered herself middle-class. But when she turned 13, her parents sent her to boarding school in Lagos, Nigeria, where her classmates talked about the designer shoes they bought in France, the mansions they lived in and the international vacations they had been on. This week, we take a deep dive into Aisha’s past to understand why she can’t seem to kick her financial anxiety. For even more “This Is Uncomfortable,” subscribe to our newsletter. It&

May 20, 2021 • 30:00

The intern uprising

The intern uprising

Growing up in Ohio, Diana Wang dreamed of working for a fashion magazine. So when she was offered the position of head intern at Harper’s Bazaar, she thought she’d finally landed her big break. But she didn’t realize her unpaid labor would come with such long hours, tons of responsibility and barely any training. That’s when she knew something had to be done and helped lead the charge of an intern revolt. Donations from listeners power this podcast. Every dollar you give goes directl

May 13, 2021 • 32:00

What’s mine is not yours

What’s mine is not yours

When Lindsey Galbraith’s marriage ended over financial infidelity, she swore she would never mix money and relationships again. Then she met someone new. This week, we look at the aftermath of betrayal and how the consequences can last far beyond that one relationship. Plus, we eavesdrop on a money conversation between her and her new partner — the kind of talk that usually happens behind closed doors. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter! This week, Reema chats with a counsel

May 6, 2021 • 32:15

A cruel disease

A cruel disease

Reporting on suicide is complicated. In trying to tell the story of someone who’s no longer here, which parts do you tell, which parts do you keep private? After a young woman dies by suicide, Reema sets out to understand why money was on her mind shortly before her death. Just a warning, this episode discusses mental health struggles, including suicide. If you or a loved one is in crisis, reach out to the Crisis Text Line (Text TALK to 741741) or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800

Apr 29, 2021 • 37:11

Pretty hurts

Pretty hurts

Society places a big premium on looking a certain way — our cleanliness, our class status, even our mental health is judged based on our appearance. Esther Calixte-Bea was taught at a young age to hide her body hair. For most of her life, she spent hundreds of dollars a month trying to keep it under control — until she finally hit a breaking point. By the way, “This Is Uncomfortable” is up for a Webby! If you can spare a few seconds to vote for us, it would mean a lot. Here’s w

Apr 22, 2021 • 27:37

Pretty hurts

Pretty hurts

Society places a big premium on looking a certain way — our cleanliness, our class status, even our mental health is judged based on our appearance. Esther Calixte-Bea was taught at a young age to hide her body hair. For most of her life, she spent hundreds of dollars a month trying to keep it under control — until she finally hit a breaking point. By the way, “This Is Uncomfortable” is up for a Webby! If you can spare a few seconds to vote for us, it would mean a lot. Here’s where to do it: wbb

Apr 22, 2021 • 27:37

The marriage penalty

The marriage penalty

After spending years fighting to get disability benefits, Amber was finally approved. But she and her wife, Diana, didn’t realize they had entered a complicated, arcane system where health care might cost you your marriage. For more “This Is Uncomfortable,” subscribe to our newsletter! This week, Reema talks about celebrating Ramadan during the pandemic. Here’s the latest issue, in case you missed it. “This Is Uncomfortable” is Reema Khrais, Megan Detrie, Hayley Hershman,

Apr 15, 2021 • 35:42

“Click here for a life-changing opportunity”

“Click here for a life-changing opportunity”

Kiara Aceves felt a little lost after graduating high school. She didn’t know what her next steps would be until she was presented with a “life-changing opportunity” to join a multilevel marketing company. The U.S. had more than 16 million MLM sellers in 2019, and most of them will likely end up breaking even or losing money. But Kiara quickly became the exception to the rule — or at least, that’s what she thought. For more “This Is Uncomfortable,” subscribe to our newsletter!

Apr 8, 2021 • 36:44

A lifelong scam

A lifelong scam

Axton Betz-Hamilton spent 20 years trying to track down an identity thief that wreaked havoc on her family, only to discover the truth was uglier than she’d imagined. For more “This Is Uncomfortable,” subscribe to our newsletter! This week’s is all about Reema’s engagement and starting to plan a wedding in a pandemic. Here’s the latest issue, in case you missed it. “This Is Uncomfortable” is Reema Khrais, Megan Detrie, Hayley Hershman, Peter Balonon-Rose

Apr 1, 2021 • 35:53

On April 1, we’re all getting scammed

On April 1, we’re all getting scammed

This season we get into those gut-wrenching, eyebrow-raising money moments and the nagging feeling that one way or another, we’re all getting cheated. There’s a decadeslong search over a stolen identity, the culty allure of hunbots and of course, the ultimate scam: trying to get health care. We’ll bring you new episodes every Thursday starting April 1. Listen to the trailer now. And if you can’t wait, check out our newsletter! Each Friday morning we’ll bring you a

Mar 25, 2021 • 2:42

Productivity won’t save you

Productivity won’t save you

We live in a world that rewards us for producing, and producing, and producing. But why is it that no matter how much we do, it never feels like enough? This week, we’re going to look at our obsession with productivity — the exhausting effort to be completely optimized in work and outside of it.

Dec 17, 2020 • 25:24

Pandemic motherhood

Pandemic motherhood

The pandemic has been brutal on working moms. In September alone, women left the workplace at four times the rate that men did. The numbers are shocking, but behind them are real, human experiences. This week, we hear some of those stories. Your support makes our podcast possible – become a Marketplace Investor today to keep us going strong.

Dec 10, 2020 • 24:00

There’s no place like home

There’s no place like home

One woman pursues her idea of the American dream — home ownership — only to have it completely backfire.

Dec 3, 2020 • 24:57

The lies we tell our friends

The lies we tell our friends

Most of us tell little white lies at some point or another to make things less weird about money. But what happens when disaster strikes, and your money situation becomes impossible to hide? This episode originally aired in August 2019. We’re working on an episode and we need your help. What’s getting you through those long days in lockdown? Big or small, as long as it doesn’t have to do with work, we want to hear about what’s bringing you joy and why. Drop us a line at

Nov 26, 2020 • 24:00

The student loan trap

The student loan trap

Jessie Suren grew up hearing the same advice over and over: College would be her ticket to the middle class, even if it meant taking out tens of thousands of dollars in student loans. But when the job she applied for after graduation fell through, she ended up working at a call center to hound people who had fallen behind on their loan payments. She feared she was staring at a window into her future, and she would spend the rest of her twenties doing whatever it took to get her balance to zero.

Nov 19, 2020 • 24:00

How the WNBA drove Loeffler into overtime

How the WNBA drove Loeffler into overtime

The WNBA is a workplace with a track record of standing up for its rights and beliefs. And this year, players went up against an unlikely opponent: a U.S. senator who co-owns one of the league’s teams. Plus, we take a look at the WNBA’s fight for fair pay.

Nov 12, 2020 • 22:24

Can’t buy me love

Can’t buy me love

After hooking up with her roommate, one woman can’t seem to avoid him — or his spending habits. Then, a couple tries showing their love for each other … in a way neither of them actually loves. This episode originally aired in our first season, in September 2019. We’re off this week working on some new stories, and we need your help: A lot of ideas about who we’re meant to be as adults get instilled into us at an early age, by the things we see our parents do or the expectations they set f

Nov 5, 2020 • 26:08

Money horror stories III: the ghost of purchases past

Money horror stories III: the ghost of purchases past

This Halloween, we have listeners’ spooky stories about good ideas gone bad, from giving a hormonal teen a debit card to getting into business with a scammer. Plus, a Backstreet Boys obsession that goes awry.

Oct 29, 2020 • 24:02

Financial infidelity

Financial infidelity

You find out your partner has hidden thousands of dollars of debt. Now what? Jordan Rosenfeld is a writer. Follow her on Twitter @Jordanrosenfeld.

Oct 22, 2020 • 21:11

Friendship is a full-time job, with Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow

Friendship is a full-time job, with Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow

Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman are very good friends. And as hosts of the podcast “Call Your Girlfriend,” and co-authors of “Big Friendship,” they’re also in business together. This week they sit down with Reema to talk about how work has changed their friendship and what they learned from couples therapy. Later, they join “The Group Chat” to answer listener questions about friendship and money. By the way, we’re still looking for your stories of hiding a

Oct 15, 2020 • 22:19

Divorce story (rerun), plus a request for your help!

Divorce story (rerun), plus a request for your help!

Money gets complicated when a marriage falls apart. First, we’ll hear from a divorce lawyer who ends up representing herself. Then from a couple trying to plan for the day they hate each other. Plus: Have you hidden a purchase, some funds or anything else money related from your partner? We’re working on an episode about that, and whether you were casually dating or married, we want to hear about it! Give us a call at 347-RING-TIU (347-746-4848).

Oct 8, 2020 • 23:03

Can’t make rent, can’t get evicted

Can’t make rent, can’t get evicted

Marilyn worked hard to afford her own home. But when a sheriff showed up at her front door with a summons for eviction court, suddenly she was stuck trying to navigate a system with confusing rules.

Oct 1, 2020 • 20:35

“Why don’t you fix your teeth?”

“Why don’t you fix your teeth?”

One woman’s smile becomes a marker of poverty that feels impossible to escape.

Sep 24, 2020 • 26:44

Who can afford to vote?

Who can afford to vote?

From restricted access mail-in ballots to poll taxes, voting rights have always been tied to power and money.

Sep 17, 2020 • 30:09

“This Is Uncomfortable” is back this week!

“This Is Uncomfortable” is back this week!

Money messes up everything. This pandemic is widening the wealth gap, pushing thousands of people into debt, and shifting family and relationship dynamics. Why do so many of us let our careers define who we are? Who can afford to vote this November? Can business and friendship mix? Will you ever get over that one money fight with your partner? We’ll sit with this discomfort all season, and it all starts this Thursday, Sept. 17. Here’s a preview.

Sep 15, 2020 • 2:06

Love in the time of coronavirus (rerun)

Love in the time of coronavirus (rerun)

There are a lot of couples stuck at home right now. Some of them are out of work or dealing with canceled plans. Today, we’ll hear from two couples trying to figure out what their future will look like. This is a rerun of one of our favorite stories from last season. We’re back with new episodes on September 17, and we’re still doing weekly newsletters. Subscribe at marketplace.org/comfort.

Sep 10, 2020 • 26:40

WeWork too much (rerun)

WeWork too much (rerun)

When WeWork acquired her company, she got executive training, fancy corporate retreats and a dope Patagonia jacket. It was almost enough to make her forget everything she lost. This week: Why we’re so obsessed with our jobs, even though they’ll never love us back. This is a rerun of one of our favorite stories from last season. We’re back with new episodes on September 17 and we’re still doing weekly newsletters between now and then. Subscribe at marketplace.org/comfort.

Aug 20, 2020 • 27:09

Life in the coronavirus heckhole

Life in the coronavirus heckhole

To get a new bike, this 11-year-old signs a contract to do the thing he hates most: math. How one family is using a tactic borrowed from the business world to settle arguments (and help them get through the pandemic).

Aug 6, 2020 • 24:30

Money makes me sick

Money makes me sick

Meet the professional auditor who can’t stand to look at his own bank account. Our team goes on an adventure to help a man who’s anxious about his spending get more comfortable checking his finances.

Jul 16, 2020 • 23:42

The fight for fair pay in Big Tech

The fight for fair pay in Big Tech

One woman’s fight against Silicon Valley’s racial pay gap. Plus, why it’s so hard for Black workers in tech to get ahead

Jul 2, 2020 • 22:53

How to pay for college

How to pay for college

Years ago, one woman put college on hold because she couldn’t afford it. Now she faces a hard choice to keep history from repeating itself. Plus: What will college even look like this fall?

Jun 18, 2020 • 29:15

It’s expensive to get arrested

It’s expensive to get arrested

A teenager protesting police brutality lands in jail, and we try to understand the tricky business of bail.

Jun 5, 2020 • 27:16

Barred from benefits (from The Uncertain Hour)

Barred from benefits (from The Uncertain Hour)

Millions of Americans who are out of work don’t receive unemployment benefits. That’s by design. An episode from “The Uncertain Hour’s” pop-up season “A History of Now.” If you liked this epsiode, you can hear more at uncertainhour.org.

May 28, 2020 • 36:37

School’s out (forever?)

School’s out (forever?)

When you’re 17 or 18, you’re often making choices that can dictate the course of your whole life. Making those decisions during a pandemic is even harder. Today we follow three high school friends trying to figure out what comes after graduation when a global pandemic is clouding everything. By the way, today is the last day of Marketplace’s spring fundraising drive. We know not everyone can afford to give, but if you love the show and you are in a position to donate, we would really appre

May 21, 2020 • 23:08

Our parents’ debts (from Terrible, Thanks for Asking)

Our parents’ debts (from Terrible, Thanks for Asking)

This week, we’re showcasing a story from our colleagues at “Terrible, Thanks For Asking”: When a supporting pillar is knocked out of a family, the consequences can be costly.

May 15, 2020 • 46:34

From prison to pandemic

From prison to pandemic

Kevin Harrington was exonerated last month after spending 17 years in prison for a murder conviction. He and his family are overjoyed, but the coronavirus pandemic means freedom looks a little different right now. By the way, Marketplace is in the middle of a really important fundraising drive right now. We know not everyone can afford to give, but if you love the show and you are in a position to donate, we would really appreciate it. You can give and find more information at marketplace.org/gi

May 7, 2020 • 20:54

Confessions of a shopaholic

Confessions of a shopaholic

A woman grapples with her shopping addiction in quarantine. By the way, we were just nominated for a Webby! Please take a second and vote for us at wbby.co/pod09.

Apr 30, 2020 • 20:51

A $35,000 COVID bill

A $35,000 COVID bill

Danni Askini fought cancer for 18 months before getting COVID-19. Their focus was on surviving, not the cost of care. That didn’t make the bill any easier to take.

Apr 23, 2020 • 20:33

What it’s like getting an abortion in Texas right now

What it’s like getting an abortion in Texas right now

The clock is ticking for one college student after she finds out she’s pregnant in the middle of a pandemic, in a state that’s trying to restrict abortion.

Apr 16, 2020 • 15:29

Zoom therapy in a pandemic

Zoom therapy in a pandemic

How do I keep from fighting with my partner about money? What do I say to a friend who’s just lost a job? This week, a little financial therapy session over zoom to help us all cope with our COVID-19 anxiety.

Apr 9, 2020 • 19:37

Love in the time of coronavirus

Love in the time of coronavirus

There are a lot of couples stuck at home right now. Some of them are out of work or dealing with canceled plans. Today, we’ll hear from two couples trying to figure out what their future will look like.

Apr 3, 2020 • 23:17

Hard choices

Hard choices

As states across the country close all non-essential businesses, people are rethinking what it means to do the right thing. Today we hear listeners’ stories of pay cuts, layoffs and telling employers they’re putting people at risk.

Mar 27, 2020 • 19:06

COVID-19 comforts

COVID-19 comforts

The coronavirus is changing how we think about money and community. We set out to see how people are coping and put together this audio care package. And we want to check in on you, too — let us know what you’re going through and how you’re getting through it at uncomfortable@marketplace.org.

Mar 20, 2020 • 15:38

What’s a friendship worth?

What’s a friendship worth?

Would you spot a friend money if they needed it? How about if they asked every month? This week: the limits of friendship.

Mar 12, 2020 • 21:16

WeWork too much

WeWork too much

When WeWork acquired her company, she got executive training, fancy corporate retreats and a dope Patagonia jacket. It was almost enough to make her forget everything she lost. This week: Why we’re so obsessed with our jobs, although they’ll never love us back.

Mar 5, 2020 • 25:48

My boyfriend wants to pay my rent

My boyfriend wants to pay my rent

Sam Sanders, host of NPR’s “It’s Been A Minute” and Marketplace product specialist Sarah Menendez are here give advice on salary sharing, expensive olive oil, and bridesmaid duties in the latest installment of “The Group Chat.” Got anything you want to run by the group? Tell us at uncomfortable@marketplace.org, and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter at Marketplace.org/comfort.

Feb 27, 2020 • 26:37

In sickness and in fraud

In sickness and in fraud

When a shady business partner leaves a newly married couple on the hook for over $300,000, it tests the limits of “for better or worse.” For even more “This Is Uncomfortable,” sign up for our new weekly newsletter at marketplace.org/comfort.

Feb 21, 2020 • 23:32

Total financial control

Total financial control

After getting married, Angie’s husband started to scrutinize every purchase. The situation soon got so much worse. We look at what happens when money becomes a form of control.

Feb 13, 2020 • 27:20

What’s your sign?

What’s your sign?

Reema (a skeptical Libra) talks with astrologer Chani Nicholas about the booming business of astrology and together they answer listener questions about overspending and toxic bosses.

Feb 6, 2020 • 26:03

Divorce Story

Divorce Story

Money gets complicated when a marriage falls apart. First we’ll hear from a divorce lawyer who ends up representing herself. Then from a couple trying to plan for the day they hate each other.

Jan 30, 2020 • 23:45

“This Is Uncomfortable” is back next week

“This Is Uncomfortable” is back next week

We’re back Jan. 30 with new stories about life and how money messes with it. You know, the light stuff, like divorce, workaholism and financial fraud. Here’s a sneak peek.

Jan 23, 2020 • 2:36

I have class anxiety (rerun)

I have class anxiety (rerun)

A listener struggles to navigate all the unspoken rules of middle-class life. This is our last rerun before we return with new episodes later this month. To stay on top of when we’re coming back, subscribe to our emails at marketplace.org/comfort.

Jan 16, 2020 • 20:57

Instrument of sabotage (rerun)

Instrument of sabotage (rerun)

In the cutthroat world of professional classical music, Eric Abramovitz was headed toward a shining career. Until something — or someone — got in the way. We’re rerunning a few of our favorite episodes over the holiday season, and we’ll be back with new episodes in 2020. To stay on top of when we’re coming back, subscribe to our emails at marketplace.org/comfort.

Jan 2, 2020 • 24:29

When money makes it weird (rerun)

When money makes it weird (rerun)

Reema tries to settle a debt she’s been avoiding. And what happens when one person in a relationship has way more money? We’re rerunning a few of our favorite episodes over the holiday season, and we’ll be back with new episodes in 2020. To stay on top of when we’re coming back, subscribe to our emails at marketplace.org/comfort.

Dec 26, 2019 • 31:02

Bonus: Money horror stories II

Bonus: Money horror stories II

Earlier this year, Hayden started getting these surprise gifts in the mail. Once he realized who sent them to him, he wondered just how far the gift giver would go. Plus, two more stories of spending regret. To be the first to know when we’re back with new episodes, subscribe to our newsletter at marketplace.org/comfort.

Dec 12, 2019 • 21:13

Home/work (rerun)

Home/work (rerun)

Just in time for Thanksgiving, “This Is Uncomfortable” revisits the “jobs” we take on in our families — starting with Reema’s. Plus, one couple comes up with a creative way to stop fighting over a dreaded household chore. This is the first of a few favorite episodes we’re rerunning over the holiday season, and we’ll be back with new episodes in 2020. To stay on top of when we’re coming back, subscribe to our emails at marketplace.org/comfort.

Nov 28, 2019 • 21:32

When your life depends on it

When your life depends on it

After a rare cancer diagnosis, one family’s battle with insurance and pharmaceutical companies, and the endless bureaucracy, teaches them about the price tag the medical system can put on a person’s life. By the way, this is our last episode of the year. We’re taking a break for the holidays, replaying a few of our favorite episodes and working on some new stories. Make sure you’re the first to know about new episodes by subscribing to our newsletter at marketplace.org/comfort.

Nov 21, 2019 • 23:50

Love thy neighbor, and pay off their debts, too

Love thy neighbor, and pay off their debts, too

An aspiring dancer finds a way to become debt-free. All she has to do is take on someone else’s.

Nov 14, 2019 • 24:36

Don’t buy your boss a gift

Don’t buy your boss a gift

“Nancy” host Tobin Low and journalist Julia Furlan join us this week to give advice on office gifts, financial independence and more in the latest installment of “The Group Chat.” Got anything you want to run by the group? Tell us at uncomfortable@marketplace.org

Nov 7, 2019 • 24:18

Money horror stories

Money horror stories

This Halloween, we have listeners’ frightening stories of impulse buys, spooky scams and a very Hungry Heart.

Oct 31, 2019 • 21:06

Sperm, baby, sperm

Sperm, baby, sperm

Two couples won a chance at pregnancy, but money has complicated their journeys to build a family.

Oct 24, 2019 • 24:55

Instrument of sabotage

Instrument of sabotage

In the cutthroat world of professional classical music, Eric Abramovitz was headed toward a shining career. Until something — or someone — got in the way.

Oct 17, 2019 • 24:07

TIU Live: I hate my boss

TIU Live: I hate my boss

We’re presenting a new segment this week called “The Group Chat.” It’s when we bring in friends of the pod to address your money and job problems. Joining us for this first installment are NPR’s Julia Furlan and Keisha “TK” Dutes of Glitch and “Hear to Slay.” We recorded this episode live onstage at Werk It, the women’s podcasting festival from WYNC Studios, earlier this month at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles.

Oct 10, 2019 • 19:50

F you, pay me

F you, pay me

Caitlin Boston asked for a raise. Her boss gave her a hard no. Then she made it her mission to figure out what she was worth… and to get paid. Plus: we teach you how to get paid too.

Oct 3, 2019 • 21:10

Money advice with “Call Your Girlfriend”

Money advice with “Call Your Girlfriend”

Reema was on one of our favorite podcasts, “Call Your Girlfriend,” a few weeks ago to answer listeners’ tricky money questions about divorce, student debt and (shudder) investing.

Sep 26, 2019 • 21:03

Can’t buy me love

Can’t buy me love

After hooking up with her roommate, one woman can’t seem to avoid him — or his spending habits, and a couple tries showing their love for each other … in a way neither of them actually loves.

Sep 19, 2019 • 23:12

Everyday liars

Everyday liars

You tell your mom you’re broke. You pretend to have student loans. You wear knock-off couture. People tell lies about money all the time. We asked about your “white lies” — and you didn’t disappoint.

Sep 12, 2019 • 13:57

Cashing in on your kids

Cashing in on your kids

Something to think about when you’re watching the new “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” this weekend: For every piece of this family’s massive empire, matriarch Kris Jenner takes a 10% cut. And when business and family mix, you can’t help but wonder how the lines get blurred. Does being your child’s manager get in the way of being a good mom? This week, BuzzFeed’s Zan Romanoff walks us through the history and stigma of the “momager,” and we h

Sep 5, 2019 • 17:10

Trapped in your personal brand

Trapped in your personal brand

Aparna Nancherla has made a career in comedy, where she often delves into her own struggles with mental health. We look at what happens when your job is tied to the most painful parts of your life. Plus, The New York Times’ Amanda Hess on treating your work like a commodity.

Aug 29, 2019 • 21:01

The lies we tell our friends

The lies we tell our friends

Most of us tell little white lies at some point or another to make things less weird about money. But what happens when disaster strikes, and your money situation becomes impossible to hide?

Aug 22, 2019 • 24:43

What dad left behind

What dad left behind

When money, death and grief mix there’s no playbook for what to do. And for years, one young man has been stuck. This episode deals with depression and suicide. If you or someone you know needs to talk, call 1-800-273-8255 or text “TALK” to 741741.

Aug 15, 2019 • 26:25

I have class anxiety

I have class anxiety

A listener struggles to navigate all the unspoken rules of middle-class life.

Aug 8, 2019 • 19:53

That thing you buy and don’t tell your parents about

That thing you buy and don’t tell your parents about

We’re keeping things just a little uncomfortable this week with another round of our favorite game: Financial Face-Off! But first: We need your help telling a new story.

Aug 1, 2019 • 16:06

The college fund

The college fund

When you’re a kid, your parents make all the financial decisions for you. But what happens when you grow up … and don’t agree with their choices?

Jul 25, 2019 • 22:49

Ziwe Fumudoh makes people uncomfortable

Ziwe Fumudoh makes people uncomfortable

Growing up, Ziwe Fumudoh wanted to be a pop star. Her parents wanted her to go into medicine or finance. She ended up as a comedian writing for “Desus & Mero.” This week we talk about her work and money.

Jul 18, 2019 • 22:40

Lost in the game

Lost in the game

When you’re a high-stakes gambler laying down tens of thousands of dollars at a blackjack table, the value of money takes on a whole new meaning.

Jul 11, 2019 • 23:40

Guess my financial secret

Guess my financial secret

Our new game, “Financial Faceoff” puts one couple’s financial life to the test. Plus, we’ll get an update from the couple in our first episode, Nika and Terence.

Jul 3, 2019 • 13:01

Home/work

Home/work

Reema Khrais explores the “jobs” we take on in our families — starting with her own. Plus, one couple comes up with a creative way to stop fighting over a dreaded household chore.

Jun 27, 2019 • 20:18

Crying at work

Crying at work

What happens when work is the thing that’s making us cry … at work? Plus: Reema asks her old boss an awkward question.

Jun 20, 2019 • 23:29

When money makes it weird

When money makes it weird

Reema tries to settle a debt she’s been avoiding. And what happens when one person in a relationship has way more money?

Jun 13, 2019 • 31:44

Introducing “This Is Uncomfortable”

Introducing “This Is Uncomfortable”

This is a show about life and how money messes with it. Every Thursday, we’ll dig into the unanticipated ways money affects relationships, shapes identities and defines what it means to be an adult. The first episode drops June 13.

Jun 3, 2019 • 3:19

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