Terrible, Thanks For Asking

Feelings & Co.

Subscribe within Apple Podcasts for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, and access to our full archive. For all those perks and more, including a supportive community of Terrible listeners, mail surprises and live sessions with our team, join us on Patreon.com/ttfa! — It's a question we ask (and get asked) all the time: “How are you?” And normally we just respond with “Fine!” even if we’re totally dying inside, so everyone can go about their day. But it’s not always all that fine, is it? “Terrible, Thanks For Asking” is a show by author Nora McInerny that lets real people get real honest about how they’re really doing. It’s sometimes sad, sometimes funny, and almost always both. A production of Feelings & Co. read less
Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Episodes

Becoming Fairy Godmother: Egg Donation and Creating A New Kind of Family
02-04-2024
Becoming Fairy Godmother: Egg Donation and Creating A New Kind of Family
Two years ago Julia Winston was asked to help a gay couple start a family by donating her eggs. At the time, she was 38, single, and had no idea if she’d start her own family. Sometimes that made her feel insecure, so the opportunity to donate her eggs allowed her to help create a family, just not the one she imagined in her head. Since the donation, she’s gone through an emotional transformation that opened her eyes to all the different ways a family can look.  Julia is the host of Refamulating, the newest podcast from the Feelings and Co universe. Listen to Refamulating now, wherever you get your podcasts. Follow the show on Instagram.  _ This is our last episode of Terrible Thanks for Asking for a while. If you want to get new episodes of TTFA through August, consider joining our Patreon. (Or, if you’re an Apple Podcast listener, you can sign up for TTFA Premium right in the app!) Our Substack is a great way to connect with us and other listeners (and get more Terrible in your inbox). Join us here. The episode transcript can be found here. — We’re lucky to only work with sponsors and brands we know and love. Using our links and codes saves you money and supports our independent production! Foria: Experience your juiciest and deepest sensual experience with a bottle of Foria. FORIA is offering a special deal for our listeners. Get 20% off your first order by visiting foriawellness.com/TERRIBLE OR use code TERRIBLE at checkout. I recommend trying their new Massage Oil combined with their Awaken Arousal Oil. You’ll thank me later. BetterHelp: Learn to make time for what makes you happy, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/TTFA today to get 10% off your first month. You can find our full sponsor list here. — Find all our shows and our store at feelingsand.co. — Find TTFA on social: TTFA on Instagram | TTFA on Facebook See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Your Favorite Obituaries
25-03-2024
Your Favorite Obituaries
As we prepare for our indefinite hiatus, we wanted to remind you that we will still be making TTFA episodes on our Patreon and Apple Premium feeds. If you aren't a premium member, we wanted to show you what kind of episodes we make over there by bringing one of our bonus episodes to the main feed. Recently, we asked listeners to send in obituaries about your dead people, and boy oh boy did you all deliver some gems that made us laugh, cry and reeeeeally want to double fist a Dr. Pepper with a Miller High Life.  In this bonus episode, Nora reads some of her favorites. _ Find Nora’s weekly newsletter here. _ We’re lucky to only work with sponsors and brands we know and love. Using our links and codes saves you money and supports our independent production! Foria: Experience your juiciest and deepest sensual experience with a bottle of Foria. FORIA is offering a special deal for our listeners. Get 20% off your first order by visiting foriawellness.com/TERRIBLE OR use code TERRIBLE at checkout. I recommend trying their new Massage Oil combined with their Awaken Arousal Oil. You’ll thank me later. BetterHelp: Learn to make time for what makes you happy, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/TTFA today to get 10% off your first month. You can find our full sponsor list here. — Find all our shows and our store at feelingsand.co. — Find TTFA on social: TTFA on Instagram | TTFA on Facebook See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The One That Got Away
19-02-2024
The One That Got Away
For years, Nancy could picture her ideal partner. She wanted someone who would make her laugh, who would love her son, and who would make her feel confident and empowered. When she met Noa, he checked all the boxes. Everything she thought other people made up about love suddenly came true. But…this perfect love didn’t last forever.  Today we hear from both Nancy and Noa as they perform an autopsy of sorts on their relationship and why it didn’t work.  –  Listener support makes our independent podcast possible. Consider joining our Patreon to get bonus episodes, ad-free episodes, and join a community of Terribles.  Our Substack is a great way to connect with us and other listeners (and get more Terrible in your inbox). Join us here.                       The episode transcript can be found here. — We’re lucky to only work with sponsors and brands we know and love. Using our links and codes saves you money and supports our independent production! Foria: FORIA is offering a special deal for our listeners. Get 20% off your first order by visiting foriawellness.com/TERRIBLE OR use code TERRIBLE at checkout.  Sundays: Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to sundaysfordogs.com/TERRIBLE or use code TERRIBLE at checkout. You can find our full sponsor list here. — Find all our shows and our store at feelingsand.co. — Find TTFA on social: TTFA on Instagram | TTFA on Facebook See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“Why are drug dealers putting fentanyl in everything?” from Search Engine
11-01-2024
“Why are drug dealers putting fentanyl in everything?” from Search Engine
Nora sits down with her friend and fellow podcaster PJ Vogt of Search Engine. They discuss what he found in his own interviews with a drug dealer who used fentanyl in his drug supply. That, plus the original Search Engine episode are included here.   If you have not yet listened to this week’s TTFA episode, “86 Sundays,” we suggest you go back and listen so you can see why we were inspired to share this Search Engine episode with you. — Original Search Engine episode description: We speak to Luis, a former fentanyl dealer and user who tells us why a dealer might want to put fentanyl in less lethal drugs. Luis also tells us how he learned the rules of dealing, and how the rules changed over his multi-decade career.   If you have questions or comments about this episode, or if you'd like to support the show, head to our newsletter: pjvogt.com.  — Listener support makes our independent podcast possible. Consider joining our Patreon to get bonus episodes, ad-free episodes, and join a community of Terribles.  Our Substack is a great way to connect with us and other listeners (and get more Terrible in your inbox). Join us here. The episode transcript can be found here. — We’re lucky to only work with sponsors and brands we know and love. Using our links and codes saves you money and supports our independent production! Indeed: Start hiring NOW with a SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLAR SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post at Indeed.com/TTFA. Offer good for a limited time. Just go to Indeed.com/TTFA and support the show by saying you heard about it on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Need to hire? You need Indeed. You can find our full sponsor list here. — Find all our shows and our store at feelingsand.co. — Find TTFA on social: TTFA on Instagram | TTFA on FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
86 Sundays
09-01-2024
86 Sundays
Feliz lost her sister, Karina, in a horrifying way — in a way that’s quick to draw judgment and condemnation. Feliz has seen the worst of it all, but Karina deserves to be defined by her life, not her death. A warning that this episode includes discussions of drug use and poisoning. Resources: CDC guidelines on how to test drugs for fentanyl  Find fentanyl test strips here DrugsData.org provides a rolling update of what's in illicit drugs by geographical area. The data is sent in by strangers, and you might be able to see what’s happening in your city, depending on where you live. The use of NarCan can help prevent an opioid overdose. Check in your local area to find nonprofits that provide training and distribute the medicine. Find how to use NarCan here.  — Listener support makes our independent podcast possible. Consider joining our Patreon to get bonus episodes, ad-free episodes, and join a community of Terribles. Our Substack is a great way to connect with us and other listeners (and get more Terrible in your inbox). Join us here. The episode transcript can be found here. — We’re lucky to only work with sponsors and brands we know and love. Using our links and codes saves you money and supports our independent production! Indeed: Start hiring NOW with a SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLAR SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post at Indeed.com/TTFA. Offer good for a limited time. Just go to Indeed.com/TTFA and support the show by saying you heard about it on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Need to hire? You need Indeed. You can find our full sponsor list here. — Find all our shows and our store at feelingsand.co. — Find TTFA on social: TTFA on Instagram | TTFA on Facebook See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Christmas Curse (Happyish Holidays 2023)
12-12-2023
The Christmas Curse (Happyish Holidays 2023)
If your holiday season is feeling less sparkly, less warm, less…happy, you’ve come to the right place! Every year we make an episode about the bad, terrible and subpar side of the holidays and this year’s Happyish Holidays episode is a real doozy. Brianna Liestman shares how every Christmas from 2007-2010, a different member of her family ruined Christmas. There are fires, hospital visits, crying at Kay Jewelers and a shopping spree at Hot Topic! The drama is bigger than Santa's sleigh and will give you a laugh or two if you're needing a pick me up this month. Listen to past Happyish Holidays episodes in our back catalog on Patreon.  — Happyish Holidays is a “Terrible, Thanks for Asking“ tradition for everyone who has a complicated relationship with the “most wonderful time of the year.” Our live podcast show—hosted by Nora McInerny and with Marcel Malekebu—brought together a blend of audio, video, and in-person holiday magic. The recording of our 2023 show is available for purchase on our Patreon Shop. If you purchased a ticket to the livestream through The Parkway, are a paid subscriber of our Patreon or Substack, or are a paying subscriber of Nora's Substack, check your inboxes for information on your complimentary access to the recording. __ Listener support makes our independent podcast possible. Consider joining our Patreon to get bonus episodes, ad-free episodes, and join a community of Terribles.  Our Substack is a great way to connect with us and other listeners (and get more Terrible in your inbox). Join us here. The episode transcript can be found here. — Happyish Holidays is sponsored by Option B. Option B provides practical, compassionate, everyday advice both for those who are facing loss and hardship and for those who want to support their loved ones during life’s hardest moments. When our friends and family are struggling with loss, it’s the absolute WORST. Whether your partner lost a parent, your best friend recently had a miscarriage, or your child is going through a painful divorce, knowing what to do or say over the holidays can leave us feeling helpless and stuck. If you’re feeling unsure of how to help, check out OptionB. There for the Holidays at www.optionb.org/holidays. You’ll find #realtalk holiday cards to send to your family and friends, stories from celebs about how they’ve re-created traditions after loss, and tips you can implement right away on how to show up for your loved ones. Join us at www.optionb.org/holidays and @optionb on Instagram and Facebook for holiday tips and to follow along. — Find all our shows and our store at feelingsand.co. — Find TTFA on social: TTFA on Instagram | TTFA on Facebook See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Loving into the Future
28-11-2023
Loving into the Future
Kelly loved her dad, then she lost her dad. Kelly loved her grandpa, then she lost her grandpa. Now that Kelly’s a mom herself, she wants to ensure that her son knows he’s loved, no matter what comes.—We still have a few tickets left for our Happyish Holidays live show in Minneapolis Dec 7.Can't make it to Minneapolis? Buy a ticket to get access to the show's livestream! Tickets are $13 apiece, and FREE for our Patrons! (check your email for more information).If you're not a member of our Patreon, now is a great time to join! For less than a ticket price you can virtually attend the show AND get other member benefits you will love.Our Substack is a great way to connect with us and other listeners (and get more Terrible in your inbox). Join us here.The episode transcript can be found here.—We’re lucky to only work with sponsors and brands we know and love. Using our links and codes saves you money and supports our independent production!Indeed: Start hiring NOW with a $75 SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post at Indeed.com/TTFA. Offer good for a limited time. Just go to Indeed.com/TTFA and support the show by saying you heard about it on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Need to hire? You need Indeed.Squarespace: Go to Squarespace.com/TTFA and use offer code TTFA to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.You can find our full sponsor list here.—Find all our shows and our store at feelingsand.co.—Find TTFA on social: TTFA on Instagram | TTFA on FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Sheep in Wolf's Clothing
14-11-2023
The Sheep in Wolf's Clothing
There are some stories so plainly horrifying, some crimes so gut wrenching, that it can be hard to imagine the perpetrator as anything other than a villain. A drunk driving accident that killed 6 people does not sound like the beginning of a redemption story. But this episode isn’t about redemption — it’s about learning to live alongside an unthinkable mistake. — Listener support makes our independent podcast possible. Consider joining our Patreon to get bonus episodes, ad-free episodes, and join a community of Terribles. Our Substack is a great way to connect with us and other listeners (and get more Terrible in your inbox). Join us here. The episode transcript can be found here. — We’re lucky to only work with sponsors and brands we know and love. Using our links and codes saves you money and supports our independent production! Indeed: Start hiring NOW with a SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLAR SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post at Indeed.com/TTFA. Offer good for a limited time. Just go to Indeed.com/TTFA and support the show by saying you heard about it on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Need to hire? You need Indeed. Squarespace: Go to Squarespace.com/TTFA and use offer code TTFA to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. You can find our full sponsor list here. — Find all our shows and our store at feelingsand.co. — Find TTFA on social: TTFA on Instagram | TTFA on FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Eat, Pray, Leave
31-10-2023
Eat, Pray, Leave
When Christina met Thomas as a young adult, their relationship felt different, and right. As time goes on, cracks start to appear in their dynamic, but Christina doesn’t give up on the people she loves. But how many cracks does it take before a dam breaks?  — Listener support makes our independent podcast possible. Consider joining our Patreon to get bonus episodes, ad-free episodes, and join a community of Terribles. Our Substack is a great way to connect with us and other listeners (and get more Terrible in your inbox). Join us here. The episode transcript can be found here. — Nora’s new Happyish journal and affirmation deck based on her own journaling practices launches today! We have a special deal for you on these new items:  25% discount for the Em & Friends website. Coupon code: HAPPYISH25. This will only work on the Em & Friends website, not on Amazon. — We’re lucky to only work with sponsors and brands we know and love. Using our links and codes saves you money and supports our independent production! Indeed: Go to indeed.com/TTFA to claim your $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade your job post.  Fordham University: Earn a degree that matters and choose social work. Learn more at fordham.edu/mswjourney. Squarespace: Go to Squarespace.com/TTFA and use offer code TTFA to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. You can find our full sponsor list here. — Find all our shows and our store at feelingsand.co. — Find TTFA on social: TTFA on Instagram | TTFA on FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
...Always
17-10-2023
...Always
Greg was married to his best friend, Anna, for 6 years. He loved and respected her. So the night he told her he was gay was painful because he knew how much he was hurting her. In the ten months since then, Greg has looked hard at his depression and addiction, two things that held him back from admitting his sexuality. This is part 2 of a story about one couple’s divorce. Listen to part 1 of this episode, “Everything, All Of You…” If you need support for addiction, check out these resources: Ben’s Friends- a support group for people in the food and beverage industryAlcoholics AnonymousSAMHSA- a hotline that can connect you to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.   If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts (or love someone who does): Text HOME to 741-741 for a free, confidential conversation with a trained counselor any time of day. If you feel unsafe right now, text or call 988 or use the chat function at 988lifeline.orgIf you need help figuring out HOW to tell someone that you’re having suicidal thoughts, here are some prompts. If you suspect someone in your life is having suicidal thoughts, here are some questions you can ask them. Read the CDC’s Suicide Prevention Resource for Action.If you’re struggling with depression, know some of the tools that can help lift you out of a hard time.  ___ Nora’s new Happyish journal and affirmation deck based on her own journaling practices launches today! We have a special deal for you on these new items:  25% discount for the Em & Friends website. Coupon code: HAPPYISH25. This will only work on the Em & Friends website, not on Amazon. ___ Listener support makes our independent podcast possible. Consider joining our Patreon to get bonus episodes, ad-free episodes, and join a community of Terribles. Our Substack is a great way to connect with us and other listeners (and get more Terrible in your inbox). Join us here. The episode transcript can be found here. ___ We’re lucky to only work with sponsors and brands we know and love. Using our links and codes saves you money and supports our independent production!   Fordham University: More than one in five US adults live with a mental illness, and licensed social workers play a crucial role in their empowerment. Fordham’s top-ranked Master of Social Work program equips students with the clinical training and skills needed to supply these vital mental health services. Their flexible full-time and part-time options cater to your schedule and interests. Earn a degree that matters and choose social work. Learn more at fordham.edu/mswjourney. Indeed: Start hiring NOW with a $75 SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post at Indeed.com/TTFA. Offer good for a limited time. Just go to Indeed.com/TTFA and support the show by saying you heard about it on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Need to hire? You need Indeed. You can find our full sponsor list here. — Find all our shows and our store at feelingsand.co. — Find TTFA on social: TTFA on Instagram | TTFA on FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Trauma Sponge
19-09-2023
The Trauma Sponge
Jeremy Norton has been a firefighter for over 20 years, a job that’s considered heroic and honorable…a job that sometimes means showing up to a false alarm…and sometimes means soaking up the trauma of the city around you.  Jeremy has been a TTFA listener since day one. His first book — The Trauma Sponges: Dispatches From The Scarred Heart of Emergency Response — is out October 10, 2023.  Link: https://bookshop.org/a/12538/9781517914189 — Nora’s new Happyish journal and affirmation deck based on her own journaling practices launches today! We have a special deal for you on these new items:  25% discount for the Em & Friends website. Coupon code: HAPPYISH25. This will only work on the Em & Friends website, not on Amazon. __ Listener support makes our independent podcast possible. Consider joining our Patreon to get bonus episodes, ad-free episodes, and join a community of Terribles. Our Substack is a great way to connect with us and other listeners (and get more Terrible in your inbox). Join us here. The episode transcript can be found here. — We’re lucky to only work with sponsors and brands we know and love. Using our links and codes saves you money and supports our independent production! Liquid IV: Get 20% off when you go to liquidiv.com and use code TTFA at checkout. BetterHelp: This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/ttfa to get started with 10% off your first month. Learn more at BetterHelp.com Squarespace: Go to Squarespace.com/TTFA and use offer code TTFA to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Hatch: Right now, Hatch is offering our listeners $20 off your purchase of a Hatch Restore and free shipping at hatch.co/ttfa. Sleep deeply and wake gently with the Restore - go to hatch.co/ttfa to get $20 off and free shipping! Bookshop.org: You can save 10% on your next order when you shop at Bookshop.org/TTFA and use code TERRIBLE at checkout. You can find our full sponsor list here. — Find all our shows and our store at feelingsand.co. Find TTFA on social: TTFA on Instagram | TTFA on FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Claire Has A Secret
05-09-2023
Claire Has A Secret
When Claire was a teenager, she held a lot of big, difficult feelings, and for a while, she saw only one solution for them. Though Claire decides to not act on those feelings, her story gets shared anonymously online — and continues to appear when she needs it most.   Note: This episode is about suicide. If you are or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, there are free resources available to you:    Text HOME to 741-741 for a free, confidential conversation with a trained counselor any time of day. If you feel unsafe right now, text or call 988 or use the chat function at 988lifeline.orgIf you need help figuring out HOW to tell someone that you’re having suicidal thoughts, here are some prompts. If you suspect someone in your life is having suicidal thoughts, here are some questions you can ask them. Read the CDC’s Suicide Prevention Resource for Action.If you’re struggling with depression, know some of the tools that can help lift you out of a hard time.  __ Listener support makes our independent podcast possible. Consider joining our Patreon to get bonus episodes, ad-free episodes, and join a community of Terribles. Our Substack is a great way to connect with us and other listeners (and get more Terrible in your inbox). Join us here. The episode transcript can be found here. — We’re lucky to only work with sponsors and brands we know and love. Using our links and codes saves you money and supports our independent production! Liquid IV: Get 20% off when you go to liquidiv.com and use code TTFA at checkout. BetterHelp: This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/ttfa to get started with 10% off your first month. Learn more at BetterHelp.com You can find our full sponsor list here. — Find all our shows and our store at feelingsand.co. Find TTFA on social: TTFA on Instagram | TTFA on FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.