Death, Sex & Money

Today is July 31st—which means that for many people, rent is due tomorrow. But we know from watching recent data that a lot of people won't be able …

Authors, podcasters and longtime friends Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow on friendship therapists, awkward spa weekends and why the word "bestie" just doesn't cut it. 

You can watch the video of this live conversation here

"I failed a lot, you know, I made a lot of wrong decisions. I just, I never let my failures end it." 

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"My therapist told me that it was okay to be mad at him for dying, whether or not it's rational. Because nothing about this is logical or makes …

The writer joined me live on Zoom to talk student loan debt, luxury CBD drinks, and why he's not going to "pimp out [his] trauma."

Tune in this …

A confession is tortured out of a suspect. He goes to prison. Back in 2016, he got a check for what he endured. But forgiveness is not part of the …

In this collaboration with the podcast Love + Radio, we hear from listeners whose relationships ended right before the pandemic—or because of it. 

…

Along with the podcast Love + Radio, we've been asking you about how you're coping with a lack of physical touch in your lives due to the pandemic. …

Two stories on incarceration and coronavirus: an update from Lawrence Bartley, whose time sheltering in place has him reflecting on his time in prison, and a woman who wrote to him, worried about her incarcerated …

A conversation with Sharron, a certified nursing assistant in Virginia, who we first met in our essential workers episode this spring.

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From budgeting blue books to a $60,000 engagement ring: your stories about love and money.

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We asked you what you needed to say in this moment of reckoning with police brutality, structural racism, and grief. Here's what you told us. 

We …

"It's difficult to sometimes separate myself from being the one that always has to have it together."

This episode is part of a special Financial …

What do you need to say right now?

As we take in the anguish that's surfacing today—about the fact that COVID19 is disproportionately impacting …

Two years ago, Mathew* quit an executive job and struck out on his own to found an independent consulting firm. After months of bringing in "90% less …

Before the pandemic, Dale ran an event space in Knoxville, Tennessee. After cancelling every booking this month—which was set to be their busiest ever—she finds herself wondering how to share the burden of her financial …

Many of our financial situations have changed drastically in the past two months. We're calling on a financial therapist to help us sort through all of the emotions those shifts are bringing up. Listen out for our …

The former secretary of state reflects on how now, in her 80s, she's re-experiencing a feeling she had in her 20s—after graduating from college and …

A listener named Lindsay, who works as a nurse in an ICU, is struggling with the way her patients are dying from COVID-19. 

Have thoughts to share with Lindsay? Email us at deathsexmoney@wnyc.org. 

The bestselling writer reflects on her sense of pride, and why she's got no problem going back to an hourly job "the minute it feels like this is over."

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A lot has changed in the student loan landscape since the pandemic hit. In this special collaboration with NPR's Life Kit, student loan expert Betsy …

Listener Diane Davis and author John Green have spent years learning tools to manage their obsessive thoughts and fears of contamination. But …

We check in with Alana Duran, who has lupus and received a donor kidney several years ago from her new girlfriend at the time, Lori Interlicchio. 

What are you noticing about physical touch and intimacy right …

One of the things writer Tayari Jones has learned in isolation is mastering different forms of connection, from re-learning how to teach her college …

"I'm just a lucky guy," John Prine told me in our 2018 interview. We will miss him. 

Songwriting icon Bill Withers died this week at 81 years old. Today, we revisit my conversation with him—from the very first episode of Death, Sex …

A few weeks back, we created a Pandemic Tool Kit for those of us who are staying home during the COVID-19 crisis. But we also wanted to hear from …

We asked essential workers to write in about what they need, and what they're thinking about. Here's what one surgical nurse in Ohio told us.

Not …

If you’re an essential worker who isn't able to stay home, we want to know what’s on your mind right now and what’s helping you. Record a voice memo and send it to deathsexmoney@wnyc.org. And if you are staying at home …

Jason Isbell was a restless guitarist. Amanda Shires was a fiddler who turned his life around. In 2014, they were a year into marriage, and discovering that sobriety and success come with new challenges.

Want more? Here …

"It's bringing me back to early recovery....I have to think about the things that keep me sober for right now, because we have no idea what tomorrow is going to look like." 

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This week, you've been helping us build a Pandemic Tool Kit. Now we want to see it in action! Pick something to do from the kit this weekend and send …

The High Maintenance star reflects on his childhood, what he's learned from his divorce, and why he's starting to smoke less weed.

Looking for some TV recs? Here are five of my favorite High Maintenance episodes. I only …

Anna and Kai Wright, host of WNYC's The United States of Anxiety podcast, take your calls about how the coronavirus is impacting your life, your relationships, and your plans—and how you're coping with it all. 

You can …

We asked you why you're not having sex—right now, or ever. These are your stories. 

How is the coronavirus impacting your life? How is it changing the way you think about your relationship to other people? Anna is …

A listener talks about why he thought hiring sex workers could save his marriage⁠—while also knowing it could destroy it. 

We're looking for your …

The comedian talks with me about what mental illness has taught her about managing money and allowing herself to be loved. 

Maria's new comedy special is called Weakness Is The Brand. Listen to This American Life …

After years of working as a physician, Ken Jeong quit to pursue acting. Then his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, and he found himself needing to think like a doctor again.

This episode was originally broadcast in …

I talk with the dancer and choreographer about the low-budget beginning of her prolific career, and about dealing with new physical limitations while …

The writer reflects on her first relationship with a woman, finding the words to talk about experiencing abuse, and the process of writing it all down in her memoir.

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A conversation with a psychologist about the importance of friends who cross racial lines—and those who don't. 

Want to reflect on how race has …

Your stories about race and friendship brought up a lot of questions. Our friends at NPR's Code Switch podcast have some answers.

And if you missed it, make sure you check out our episode right before this one, called …

"Your white friend can just make one comment and it feels like a trap door has opened up from underneath," one listener told us when we asked for …

What happens inside Planned Parenthood has long been at the center of a raging political debate in the U.S. But we don't often hear from the patients …

The writer reads an essay about his mom, and explains why she always made New Year's "determinations" instead of "resolutions."

We want to hear YOUR …

The team reflects together on the best Death, Sex & Money moments of 2019—things you heard on the show, and things you didn't.

Donate to Death, Sex & Money before the end of the year, and we'll send you one of …

The musician on her "run and gun" days in the early '90s, and the two affairs that shaped her adult life.

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At an annual pilgrimage back to a former Japanese American incarceration site, we hear from people reliving complicated childhood memories, and descendants looking for answers.

For more about Japanese American …

There's the cliche: someone cheats, crockery is thrown, lawyers are called. But your stories about cheating were much more varied, with some unpredictable conclusions. 

If you like this episode, check out this week's …

"Your life will be greatly enhanced by spending time with dying people," Anne Lamott says. "Death is not the enemy. Snakes are." 

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Hasan Minhaj was drawn to comedy because of its "radical honesty." But that hasn't always translated well to his personal life. 

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Domestic violence. The ripples of the financial crisis. A new immigrant's dashed hopes. This is what we heard about two years ago after we asked, …

Angela worked in the collections industry for 15 years. Now, she's banned from the industry for life⁠—and is getting collection calls after falling …

After a breast cancer diagnosis at 35, author Kate Pickert reflects on maintaining normalcy during treatment, why she didn't tell her daughter she was sick, and how she thinks about mortality now.

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In comedian Chris Garcia's new podcast, Scattered, he sets out to uncover the truth about his dad—a man who survived Castro’s labor camps only to lose his way in search of the American dream. 

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The writer and poet traces the joy and shame of learning about sex, mourning his mother, and finally feeling financially comfortable.

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Betsy Mayotte knows that the student loan system is overcomplicated⁠—she worked inside of it for 20 years. Now she's tackling borrowers' problems, one email at a time. 

Explore more than 4,000 of your stories about …

Hundreds of you told us about feeling duped, overwhelmed, and ashamed of your student debt. But we also heard stories about how some of you took back …

More Americans are taking out more student loan debt and taking longer to pay it back. But we don't often talk about the impact that it has on our lives. 

Explore more than 4,000 of your stories about student loans, …

At 75, E. Jean Carroll is calling out the men who've sexually assaulted her—including, she says, the president. But talk to a therapist about it? No …

Vickie Goodwin tried to raise her husband's self esteem early in their marriage. But when he started cross dressing publicly, she struggled to accept that it was part of who he was. 

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Musical icon Raphael Saadiq talks to us about using music to cope with loss, reflecting on love, and creating light in darkness. 

Listen to Anna's …

We hear from you often about pregnancy loss, and the grief that accompanies it. Here is one listener's story. 

And if you've been through pregnancy …

This month, we've been talking about drinking, and asking you what you do when the impulse to drink hits⁠—and you don't want to indulge. 

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The writer talks about how alcohol has helped him let go of his inhibitions and embrace his sexuality—after growing up in a house where drinking …

We asked you about your relationships with alcohol—why you drink, or don't, the strategies you use to manage your consumption, and what alcohol …

Rashema Melson recently got her college degree. Leading up to graduation day, she cracked open the "time capsules" we recorded with her, right before …

Two siblings open up to each other about eating and mental health, and why it took them so long to be honest about it with each other. 

Sign up for our newsletter at deathsexmoney.org/newsletter, and every …

As I return from maternity leave, I'm thinking a lot about work and identity. So is Uma Kondabolu, who recently retired from the place where she …

In the final installment of our maternity leave lineup, bestselling author Tayari Jones sits down with artist Carrie Mae Weems to talk about …

The bestselling author and Kansan talks with her dad about what happens when you grow up believing the hard way is the best way, and then cross over into a different class. 

This episode is part of our 2019 Maternity …

The Oscar-winning actor interviews the co-creator of one of his favorite movies of 2018, Blindspotting, about his childhood as a "knucklehead" in the Bay Area, finding a creative partner, and avoiding jealousy.

This …

The last time Alia Shawkat was on the show, she was offering advice about being in your 20s. Now she's back, this time, getting advice about her 30s from therapist Esther Perel. 

This episode is part of our 2019 …

The Daily Show host says he sometimes struggles to get out of bed. But he's comfortable saying that with a smile. 

This episode is part of our 2019 …

Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones self-describes as "super sensitive." But that's not the same thing as being scared.

This episode is part of our 2019 …

The Nashville singer-songwriter and the editor-in-chief of GQ Magazine sit down together to talk about their close friendship, Will's recent cancer diagnosis, expensive risk-taking, and their shared sobriety.

This …

The writers on why the label covers a multitude of sins.

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The actor and Hedwig and the Angry Inch creator talks with 91-year-old cabaret singing legend Marilyn Maye about love affairs, alcoholism and …

The Crazy Rich Asians actor talks with guest host Lisa Ling about how Bambi helped her process her mom's death, and why she has no qualms about turning down offers to do high-paying panty liner commercials.

The Death, …

For the next few months, some of our favorite past Death, Sex & Money guests—and some new folks, too—are taking a turn in the host chair and …

We asked for your stories about being laid off. A listener named Stephanie wrote in about her dad. 

Take our survey about losing a job by going to deathsexmoney.org/laidoff. And find advice from other listeners about …

As a teen, Daniel K. Isaac fought his sexuality. But accepting that part of himself as an adult has meant finding new, complicated ways of relating …

José Andrés is at the helm of more than a dozen restaurants and is famous for his humanitarian work. But when it comes to parenting, he says he's often felt less than confident. 

Apply for our Summer 2019 internship in …

Diane Gill Morris moved her whole family, including her two young adult sons who have autism, into a house she thought they'd live in forever. Then …

When we posted an article on Facebook about deciding to have children, Diane Gill Morris told us, "If someone had told me this is what it’d be like, …

The legendary poet talks with host Anna Sale in front of a live audience about standing up to her father, surviving breast and lung cancer, and why she now cries "over any damn thing." 

Have you ever been laid off? We …

We're revisiting our most-listened to episode ever, about porn. Your stories about secret hard drives, fantasy plot lines, illegal downloads, titillating Tumblr feeds, and giving porn up completely.

We're sharing this …

If you have an STI, we've got an assignment for you. Send your voice memos to deathsexmoney@wnyc.org.

STI rates are on the rise. But when we asked our listeners to tell us their stories about having an STI, what we heard about was how alone it makes you feel. 

This episode is part of our month-long series called Our Sex …

You have a limited number of orgasms in life. Your penis will fall off if you get an infection. Kissing will get you pregnant. We asked you to share your "sex ed fails"—and you all had a lot to say. 

This episode is …

Andrea grew up attending an evangelical church in Texas, where she was taught to abstain from sex until marriage and keep herself sexually "pure." That early sex education—and her decision to have premarital sex …

Sister Josephine Garrett grew up Baptist and worked her way up the corporate ladder—only to realize in her late 20s that she wanted to convert to …

Vanessa never thought much about the immigration process until she fell in love with Freddy, whose legal status in the U.S. is now in jeopardy.

Your year-end donation of $75 combined with the support of other listeners …

A couple reflects on the big strides they've made together since a cycling accident left one of them paralyzed two years ago—and on the things they still need to face. 

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YA author John Green has built his career on his ability to connect with young fans—but in his own lowest moments, the isolation he's felt has been …

When former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm ran for office, she was told not to remind voters that she'd be the first woman to hold the office — and …

What did you learn about sex that you wish you hadn't? Send a voice memo about how sex ed failures played out in your own life to deathsexmoney@wnyc.org. And we're working with the BBC on this project, so we'd …

Two stories of recovery after loss. 

The Death, Sex & Money eye mask is here! Sign on to become a sustaining member of the show at $8 a month, and we'll send you your very own DSM gel eye mask...perfect for popping …

Lawrence Bartley was released on parole this spring. Now, he and his wife Ronnine are building an everyday life for their family on the outside.

…

For one of our earliest episodes, I spoke with Jane Fonda about living her life in the public eye. This week, we're bringing you that conversation again. 

Get your tickets for our live event in New York City on October …

We've been following eight listeners as they've dated this summer—this week, we do a final check-in as the warm weather winds down.

Go back and …

Nick Offerman is famous for playing the most macho man on TV, but in real life, he says he has "all the colors inside."

This week, we're also asking …

Comedian Chris Garcia lost his dad to Alzheimer's last year. Now, he's turning his grief into conversations with other comedians for a new project from WNYC studios—and we're bringing you an early listen.

WNYC …

Ceci and Miracle talk about what's happened since Miracle ran into one of her Bumble matches making out with her middle school teacher, and Ceci …

In the six years since Tig Notaro's famous comedy set about her cancer diagnosis and her mother's death, a lot has changed.

Find the playlist of listener-generated episodes we love here. 

Subscribe to our weekly email …

Since we first talked, Jessie emailed to confess something about her dating life that she didn't tell me before. Plus, June's off Tinder!

All summer, …

This week, we continued our conversation about being a man today with a live national special, featuring CNN's W. Kamau Bell and your calls.

For more of our stories about manhood today, including a list of books, …

Earlier this week, we got a voice memo in our inbox, from a husband and wife inspired to talk about masculinity together. So we asked them if we …

The first time we talked to Dan, he was wrestling with how to navigate consent in the #MeToo era. This week, he and I dig a little deeper. 

All …

We revisit our episode with the Grammy-winning songwriter and singer on his 80th birthday, for a conversation about a life lived with intention and the beauty of the perfect rhyme.

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Miracle decided to try a dating app, and got a blast from the past.

Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter, if you haven't already. Every Wednesday we send out podcast listening recommendations, fascinating letters …

"You kind of learn what you're supposed to do. But nobody tells you anything." A conversation about what it means to be a man today, in partnership with FiveThirtyEight and SurveyMonkey.

We're just starting this …

Louis is at his wit's end with dating apps...so we called in reinforcements. Plus, some musings from Ceci.

All summer, we're following a group of …

One of our summer daters has had some big changes in his love life already.

Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter, if you haven't already. Every Wednesday we send out podcast listening recommendations, fascinating …

John Prine has been in the music business for 47 years, and at this point, he's fine being a self-proclaimed "oddball."

Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter, if you haven't already. Every Wednesday we send out …

Dating in 2018 can be frustrating. But a lot of you are doing it anyway...and some of you are letting us listen in. 

Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter, if you haven't already. Every Wednesday we send out podcast …

The bestselling author of An American Marriage talks about writing her own rules for adulthood.

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Thousands paid off. Cuts to the beauty budget. A foster daughter. Our listeners share what's happened since appearing in our student loans episodes last year.

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A 22-year-old who calls herself a “professional sugar baby” explains why she goes on dates with much older men for money—and why the men don’t always …

Dwayne Betts committed a carjacking when he was 16 years old. For his mom, Gloria Hill, it was just the first in a series of events in her life …

Thom Tran was grazed by a bullet four days into his deployment in Iraq in 2003. He's spent the last 15 years figuring out what that moment means for …

When musician Johnny Solomon hit rock bottom, he turned to his mom for help. Now, as his mom's health declines, he and his wife—and bandmate—have …

Amy took a mail-in DNA test to find out more about her genealogy...and learned more than she bargained for.

Help us build the Death, Sex & Money starter kit! Go to deathsexmoney.org/starterkit and tell us your …

The actor and writer is having a big year—but it took a lot of work, patience, and some financial help from her mom to get here.

Check out the newest addition to our Opportunity Costs series: our class pride and shame …

Veterinary medicine has a suicide rate that's one of the highest in the healthcare profession. For the veterinary community in Dallas, those statistics hit home last year.

If you’re considering suicide, or are worried …

Ernie Major self-identifies as "socially lower middle class, economically a bit better than that." But he also says status has never been something he paid much attention to. 

This episode is part of our series …

For a father and son whose family is in the 1%, having resources that "exceed their wants" brings its own set of challenges. 

This episode is part of our series Opportunity Costs: Money and Class in America. All this …

Jaimie Seaton got used to an upper class lifestyle while married to her banker husband and living overseas. Then she got divorced, and her financial picture totally changed.

This episode is part of our series …

Ramal Johnson has a "middle class mentality," a working class paycheck, and upper class aspirations. 

This episode is part of our series Opportunity Costs: Money and Class in America. All this week we're bringing you …

Best friends Cat and Christine met in college and have stayed close in the years since. But their class differences became very clear—and …

From January 22-26, we're sharing your stories about your class status, and when you've felt it most in your life.  

Don't miss the launch of Opportunity Costs! Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter and every …

Get ready to get mad.

Stay in the loop and subscribe to our weekly email newsletter. Every Wednesday we'll send you our favorites from the audio world, fascinating letters from our inbox and updates from the show. Sign …

As we begin 2018 together, we're sharing our first mini-episode of Pull Quote, our latest podcast experiment, with all of you. 

It's not too late to …

I talk with a friend about her life after heroin addiction.

Stay in the loop and subscribe to our weekly email newsletter. Every Wednesday we'll send you our favorites from the audio world, fascinating letters from our …

How witnessing heroin overdoses every day is affecting one paramedic in Charleston, West Virginia. 

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Reconsidering what we put up with.

Send us your 30-second voice memos about what you wish you could tell your younger self about dealing with …