Terrible, Thanks For Asking

We have an update on a past episode! Harris Wittels was the executive producer of "Parks and Recreation," the coiner of the word "humblebrag," a Phish enthusiast, and the funniest person in any room he walked into. He …

A lot of people share a national tragedy. But not everyone shares it personally. You can catch up with TTFA on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook using @ttfapodcast. Nora's Instagram is @noraborealis. TTFA is public …

We learn about gender - and how we SHOULD express it - from... just about everywhere. Sometimes we choose to question and examine those shoulds. And …

There are things - like the death of a child - that are unimaginable. Actually, we'd mostly just prefer not to imagine them. But for some people, like Jayson and Stacy, that thing is their reality. Sometimes it just …

Feelings! We all have them! So what are they and where do they come from? The amazing show Brains On! has a new series that explores the science of feelings. We love this and want you to listen, so we're giving you a …

Constance wanted to be a face in the crowd, not the face of the event. But sometimes we don't have control of our own stories. You can catch up with …

Food is a social and psychological minefield. How much do you think about what you eat? How much do you think you should think about what you eat? …

Even when life is going great, sometimes you still feel all the feelings. And you want to ask Nora about them. You can catch up with TTFA on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook using @ttfapodcast. Nora's Instagram is …

This is a story about physical pain, and how women are often dismissed and suffer through things they shouldn't have to. But it's about another kind …

Cane Roberts has lived in a number of places, but which places can he actually call home? You can catch up with TTFA on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook using @ttfapodcast. Nora's Instagram is @noraborealis. You can …

As a psychotherapist, Lori Gottlieb sees her role as helping patients understand their stories. But how does she help a patient understand a story in …

It's that special time of year again. Where we look long and hard at our own mothers. And at ourselves as mothers. So... how does everyone measure up? You can catch up with TTFA on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook …

We love this podcast, and we want you to hear it. Hope Chest is a personal essay audio series written, produced, edited, and sound-designed by Stacia Brown. It tackles motherhood, single- and co-parenting, raising a …

While we are away for a few weeks we want to make sure you are listening to what we're listening to. And what we're doing. So today, an episode of the podcast TED Talks Daily, where hear a new TED talk every day. And …

"Stronger Than Hate" is what everyone said in response to the mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue. But what does that mean? In this third and final episode in our series from Pittsburgh, we talk to all types of …

Days can be significant for many reasons. For many people. At the same time. In our second of three episodes from Pittsburgh, PA, two stories of parallel lives on a big day. You can catch up with TTFA on Instagram, …

In the first of three episodes from Pittsburgh, PA, we talk with three women about how the ripple effects from a shared public tragedy have affected their lives. You can catch up with TTFA on Instagram, Twitter and …

Sad! And Lucky! Those are things you can be! Includes an essay from Nora's book, No Happy Endings, available where books are sold except like, …

Jenny and Michelle are twins. Twin telepathy, switching places, the whole deal. Pat and Teddy are big parts of Jenny and Michelle's lives, but no one …

Deya and Sandra are two moms who are stuck at the intersection of maternal love and uncertainty. You can catch up with TTFA on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook using @ttfapodcast. Nora's Instagram is @noraborealis. …

Every wedding has a at least a little bit of drama. For Mai Neng Moua and her mother, Yer Vu, their mother/daughter wedding drama was about who they were, and who they wanted to be. You can catch up with TTFA on …

Parenting is *never* what you expect it to be. Maiya knows that as well as anyone. You can catch up with TTFA on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook using @ttfapodcast. Nora's Instagram is @noraborealis. You can …

Rachel Haines makes everything look easy. Even when things are very very very not easy. A gymnast, a competitor, and a champion, Rachel endures and survives... with a smile. Rachel's book is out April 12. You can …

Our episodes end. Obviously. But the lives whose stories we tell... they keep going. So today we are going to get back in touch with some old friends …

Need a slight daily readjustment of your point of view? A moment to focus and meditate on something besides your to-do list? We want to introduce you to The Slowdown. It's a podcast we love where every weekday, U.S. …

In our final episode of the season we are talking about... The Holidays. Which are a time of reflection and anticipation. Of looking back at what we …

Two things that grief brings you: Kleenex and hotdish. Two other things? Anger and people telling you what you should do. This week, stories about …

Sheridan's dad died by suicide when she was 6 years old. And for years she feared that was his legacy. And her birthright. You can catch up with …

Did I stutter? Erin did. Erin does. And here's what it's like to live with a speech impediment that people still make jokes about. You can catch up with TTFA on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook using @ttfapodcast. …

I've heard there are like, seven circles of hell? Ashley's been to at least six of them. You can catch up with TTFA on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook using @ttfapodcast. Nora's Instagram is @noraborealis. Check out …

If we're lucky, we can learn to love ourselves. But if we love the way we look? Well, people tend to look down on that. But not Gigi. Gigi loves herself. And how she looks. And you know what? YOU SHOULD, TOO. You can …

A quick update and clarification on Episode 51.

It's winter in Kansas, and Heather is back in her hometown, facing her abuser for the first time. You can catch up with TTFA on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook using @ttfapodcast. Nora's Instagram is @noraborealis. …

Dating is tough. Especially when there's strict expectations and rules. And ESPECIALLY when you finally find someone... and they don't turn out to be …

OCD is one of those acronyms we use to say, "I'm a little quirky" or "I like my room to be VERY clean." But what does it mean to actually live with OCD? I have no idea, so we asked people who do. You can catch up with …

We're *still* not done talking about suicide. And neither are you... If you're looking for resources on suicide, here are some good places to start: Be The One To - https://www.bethe1to.com National Alliance on Mental …

You know what people hate talking about? Dreams. Politics. Religion. Your birth story. Also: suicide. Which is why we asked you to talk about it for …

Nathan grew up knowing he was different. And what scared him more than who he is, was the idea that who he is was at odds with God, and his family, and the world he belonged to. thetrevorproject.org provides crises …

Annie's husband Jim died by suicide. After his death, she got into a bad space of her own. Then came the letters. You can catch up with TTFA on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook using @ttfapodcast. Check out our …

No, like, really. We ask this question of all of our guests, but we asked you, too. And you answered! You're...all over the place. And that's okay. PS-- please help Nora make #fansofhans happen. You can catch up with …

The murder of Nation's wife was headline news around the country. But the headlines can only tell you so much. You can catch up with TTFA on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook using @ttfapodcast. Check out our sponsors …

Third time's the charm, except for when it's the third time your life has been completely upended. Then it's extremely disruptive. Maybe Tinder could …

You Only Live Once... unless you're Leilani. This week - a heart, a transplant, and a mystery. Check out our sponsors: Talkspace - talkspace.com/ttfa with promo code TTFA Committed - committedpodcast.com Ritual - …

Nora steps in to guest host the podcast that just might be Too Beautiful To Live -- a delightful daily show about life, current events, pop culture, …

Borrowed Interest is a podcast hosted by three ad-women of color -- Leeya Jackson, Shareina Chandler, and Amalia Nicholson - kicking it in the …

This week Nora wants you to listen to an amazing podcast called Forever35. Kate Spencer and Doree Shafrir talk about self-care and how to get some in their (and your) lives. On this episode, they also talk to an …

Matt's wife died a decade ago. Now, everywhere he goes on the internet, he can't escape advertisements for clickbait sites with her picture on it. This week, Super Tech Support tries to help out. Further reading: …

Stories from our parents and grandparents are a sort of intergenerational game of telephone - even the ones we think we know for sure change as they …

Life as a 20-something guy with stage IV lung cancer, including some very important life advice regarding travel. Check out our sponsors: Talkspace - talkspace.com with promo code TTFA FabFitFun - fabfitfun.com with …

The punishment is supposed to fit the crime. But sometimes, when the sentence is served, the punishment is far from over. Check out our sponsors this week: Children's Cancer Fund -- childrenscancer.org/ttfa Ritual - …

This is a story about a dad who is sometimes a stranger, often a mystery, and always loved anyways. Check out our sponsors this week: Talkspace -- talkspace.com/ttfa with promo code TTFA Brooklinen -- brooklinen.com …

Lesly is a mother of three and a three-time cancer haver (there may be a more medical term for that) living on borrowed time. When the treatment you need is out of your reach, what the heck do you do? Check out our …

Captain Rosemarie Chapman flies airplanes for the Air Force. She met her boyfriend, a fellow soldier, and fell deeply in love. But a deployment to …

Chris was brought up to be positive. And to get on with it no matter what. But getting on with it isn't always so easy when others won't make room …

Sometimes a person's absence can become a presence. A dark, unspoken void that can suck you right in if you don't address it.

What's worse: keeping the people you love at a distance, or showing them your true colors and losing them forever? Patricia doesn't want to find out.

Chelsey and Kevin are parents, public servants, and two people just trying to make sense of the absolutely senseless. If this is God's plan, I have a …

It's not just a hashtag. Transformation is inevitable (and not always a choice.) But nothing transforms us more than love.

On the eve of Kelli's 25th birthday, she found herself running for her life in a dystopian nightmare. It was supposed to be an incredible weekend to celebrate the dawn of a new phase of her life. Instead, it was the …

Charlotte's career is built on organized chaos. As an Operating Room nurse, she has a protocol for every tragedy, a THEN for every IF. Until one …

The INTERNET never forgets (dang it).

There's a thin line between life and death. Between what's here -- now -- and what was. Between what's here -- now -- and what will be. Taz Ahmed knows about that line. In a dark house in Kathmandu, she and her aging …

Sometimes, it all just falls into place. For Megan and Clark, a one-week span showed how things can work out perfectly to create the best days of your life... and the worst.

When the world breaks everything, when everything is The Absolute Worst, you're lucky if you have people to lean on. You're even luckier if they're …

At 32 weeks pregnant, Cat and Jim find themselves planning for their son's death while hoping for his birth. This is a story of a life and a death, extraordinary in every way.

TTFA is live from the historic Fitzgerald Theater in downtown St. Paul, MN! Featuring conversation with writer/rapper/entrepreneur Dessa, who took to …

Lauren's brother died at Thanksgiving. And her mother at Christmas. So... this time of year it's not all Ho Ho Ho for her. Or for a lot of other …

Malena is 10 years old, and she worries a lot. About her grades. About her procrastination. About her dad. Especially about her dad. Kids are the …

Amee doesn't have a dad. But she used to. He was the best. He was the worst. And he claims that he doesn't remember any of it.

Dead sister. Dead grandma. Dead grandpa. Dead uncle. Dead mom. Dead dad. Dead brother. The list of loss goes on and on for Jaamil, and so does his …

Hope and Aaron died on the exact same day. Each leaving behind their spouse, their child, and all the love their small families had created. Nearly three years later, their spouses have remarried. But don't you dare say …

Sexual violence thrives in silence, and it's hard to talk about... so we don't. But rape survivor Sarah Super refuses to be quiet, and has dedicated …

If you are or ever plan to be in a relationship, you need to know Esther Perel, The Patron Saint of Relationships. Known for her TED Talks, her brilliant book, Mating in Captivity, and her captivating podcast, Where …

In our last episode, we met chronically single Chelsea, who was looking for love in all the same places we all look for love... and coming up empty-handed. Now, we meet Chelsea's new boyfriend (!!!!) and explore what …

As the saying goes, "There's a lid for every pot." There's someone for everyone. Chelsea has been looking for her lid -- her someone -- since high …

There are friendships, and there are FRIENDSHIPS of the all-caps variety. The latter ones are harder to forge the older you get. Which is what Janya …

Courtney and Jay are parents to 9-year-old Bruce, who they affectionately call Baby Huey. Bruce has never had a friend. Never had a playdate. Never …

Nora is back from her honeymoon with a special announcement: TTFA is doing a live show! (Plus, this week's episode will be out on Wednesday - so stay tuned!) TTFA LIVE! In person!! Hear us perform an episode right in …

Harris Wittels was the executive producer of Parks and Recreation, the coiner of the word "humblebrag," a Phish enthusiast, and the funniest person in any room he walked into. He died of a heroin overdose in 2015, …

How do you want to die? We're willing to bet the answer isn't, "Very painfully, please!" Brittany Maynard was 29 when she died of brain cancer. Aaron …

When Lea Thau's fiance left her, she felt all the feelings. Then she had their baby, and decided to start dating again. But, despite going out, nothing seemed to be clicking. Over and over. And eventually, she wanted to …

What do you wish your grown-ups had said to you when you were a kid? Especially while dealing with really hard stuff? We wanted to know, so we asked the Terrible Club - listeners who support the show - and they had some …

Khaleel Thompson is an 18-year-old who loves music, reading, and his cat, Domino. Naomi is his mother, asking why four police officers fired more …

Grief is always fresh for someone, somewhere. Right now, someone is losing a friend. A partner. A parent. And they are entering a new role, a new …

When someone dies, you're supposed to say something. Someone is supposed to say something. Someone is supposed to summarize this person, prove that they existed, that they mattered. But what do you say when a …

Alysha-Aubrey sent us a story about both her parents falling seriously ill at the same time, and the toll it took on her as a teenager. And she ended …

March is #trypod month, where everyone should force their loved ones to listen to podcasts. Not sure which one to subscribe every family member to? …

It's 12:00. No, 1:00. No, 4:45 in the morning. You should be sleeping -- we all should be -- but you're not. You're laying there as the minutes tick …

So many people start off their stories by saying that it doesn't compare to what happened to someone else. But this isn't a game of Who Has It Worse, so why do we act like there is some sort of imaginary yardstick for …

When Nora McInerny's dad died, she lost his stories. The ones that she's not sure she can can't quite remember right, and the ones she never knew. Like those from his time as a Recon Marine in Vietnam. So Nora decides …

Damon's grandparents were murdered 18 months before he was born. And, for the first time in his life, he prepares to see his grandparents' murderer face to face.

For most of us, death is scary. And what happens next is just as mysterious. But what if we could see death as something beautiful? Or holy? Sarah …

Sexual violence thrives in silence, and it's hard to talk about...so we don't. But rape survivor Sarah Super refuses to be quiet, and has dedicated …

Colleen Barton is a pediatrician, a wife, and a mother to a beautiful son named Henry. Since Henry's stillbirth, Colleen and her husband have been …

Dawn Pereda is a nurse who was injured by a patient while working. And this injury resulted in a brain injury that has changed her life completely. …

Danni Starr had everything she wanted: an enviable career, a husband, and, finally...her first baby. But off the air, motherhood was not what she expected it to be. She had taken all the classes, read all the books, …

Two days after Nora's husband Aaron died, she celebrated Thanksgiving with her family. Well...maybe not "celebrated." Actually, why would you do …

The year is 2007. Eva Hagberg is a 20-something writer snagging bylines in the New York Times by day, and partying herself stupid by night. It is all going great, until she gets her big break, and her big breakdown...

Toddlers Ralphie and Bronson have lived most of their young lives with dead fathers. Their mothers - Nora and Moe Richardson - struggle to understand how to help their boys remember the dads they won't know directly. …

Nora McInerny is in love with two men. With one man, who died two years ago this week, she has a child. And last week she had a child with the other. She didn't tell many people about the new baby. Or her pregnancy. …