Just in time for Halloween, a 47-year-old horror fan shares the premise of the spooky novel she's writing. She and Geth get nostalgic over trick-or-treat traditions and she explains how scary movies help her cope with anxiety. Later on, they attempt to make contact with the ghost (aka "The Putty Man") that haunts Madison's Majestic Theater in front of the live audience.

The Putty Man (Live from Madison)

1 phone call. 1 hour. No names. No holds barred. Thats the premise behind Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People, hosted by comedian Chris Gethard (the Chris Gethard Show, Broad City, This American Life, and one of Time Outs 10 best comedians of 2015). Every week, Chris opens the phone line to one anonymous caller, and he cant hang up first, no matter what. From shocking confessions and family secrets to philosophical discussions and shameless self-promotion, anything can and will happen! Theme song by Shellshag.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

A clinical researcher who works in oncology talks with Gethard about the advances that have been made in the field and why there’s something bittersweet about making strides. And learning about this caller’s life–from where they met their husband, to their various hobbies–leads Gethard to declare her as quite possibly our nerdiest caller ever. Beautiful/Anonymous+ is now ad free! Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get access to exclusive content including 5 Random Questions with this week’s caller.  Head to chrisgeth.com to check out Gethard's new and improved website where you can get tickets to all of his upcoming tour dates and watch his special Half My Life for free! Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod  Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ Go to greenchef.com/stories50 and use code stories50 to get 50% off, plus 20% off your next two months We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/BEAUTIFULSTORIES. Upgrade your wardrobe. Go to Quince.com/beautiful for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.  Give all the “fathers” in your life a unique, heartfelt gift you’ll all cherish for years—StoryWorth! Right now, save $10 on your first purchase when you go to StoryWorth.com/beautiful!

Our Nerdiest Caller Ever?

This week's caller is finally going to embrace her tiny home dreams. That is, if her husband can stop jumping off roofs long enough for them to finish the bus renovation they started three years ago. This one starts out easy enough. How does one become involved in skoolie life? What makes someone want to live in a school bus in the first place? What's all this drama about raising the bus roof? But things take a turn when Gethard and our caller start to unpack some of the more serious motivations for wanting to live a bit more off the grid. Then, something happens that has only ever happened once before in the history of Beautiful Anonymous. You can probably guess what it is, but you'll have to listen to find out for sure. Head to chrisgeth.com to check out Gethard's new and improved website where you can get tickets to all of his upcoming tour dates and watch his special Half My Life for free! Go to joindeleteme.com/BEAUTIFUL and use promo code BEAUTIFUL for 20% off.  Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod  Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get access to exclusive content including 5 Random Questions with this week’s caller.  Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬

Raising the Roof (Skoolie Life)

This week's caller is queer, polyamorous, and on ADHD-related academic probation in seminary school. These are all fairly new developments in her life. She talks to Gethard about how opening herself up to exploration and possibility led her to a life she says the old her would have been "appalled" by and why–even if this new life is a little more chaotic–she's so much happier now. Head to chrisgeth.com to check out Gethard's new and improved website where you can get tickets to all of his upcoming tour dates and watch his special Half My Life for free! Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod   Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get access to exclusive content including 5 Random Questions with this week’s caller.  Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ Right now, Aura has a great deal for Mother’s Day. Listeners can save on the perfect gift by visiting AuraFrames.com to get $30−o plus free shipping on their best-selling frame. Use code BEAUTIFUL at checkout to save. Terms and conditions apply. To match with a licensed therapist today, go to Talkspace.com/BEAUTIFUL and enter promo code SPACE80 to get $80 off of your first month and show your support for the show.

Waiting for the Shame to Kick In

A local TV news producer talks with Gethard about telling local stories, connecting with her community, the changing news landscape, and how to stay human in a field that expects you to distance yourself from the people you’re covering. Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod  Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get access to exclusive content including 5 Random Questions with this week’s caller. Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ Get 15% off a Skylight Calendar at SkylightCal.com/STORIES  Right now, Aura has a great deal for Mother’s Day. Listeners can save on the perfect gift by visiting AuraFrames.com to get $30−o plus free shipping on their best-selling frame. Use code BEAUTIFUL at checkout to save. Terms and conditions apply.  Start the Good Habit at https://tryfum.com/BEAUTIFUL to save 10% off the Journey Pack today.

Local TV News Producer

A signmaker calls to talk to Gethard about the novel she spent 35 years writing, tapping into life on the quantum level, and a whole lot of stuff we honestly aren’t sure we understand. It’s a fascinating call. Some of you are going to love this one. Some of you are going to feel like you stepped into a weird alternate dimension you can’t escape. And some of you are going to love this one because it will make you feel like you stepped into a weird alternate dimension you can’t escape. This caller has a story to share, and what is Beautiful/Anonymous, if not a place for people to share their stories? Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod   Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get access to exclusive content including 5 Random Questions with this week’s caller. Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/BEAUTIFULSTORIES.  As a special, limited-time offer for our listeners, get 15% off your purchase of a Skylight Calendar when you go to SkylightCal.com/STORIES Give all the “moms” in your life a unique, heartfelt gift you’ll all cherish for years—StoryWorth! Right now, save $10 on your first purchase when you go to StoryWorth.com/beautiful! Upgrade your wardrobe. Go to Quince.com/beautiful for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.  To match with a licensed therapist today, go to Talkspace.com/BEAUTIFUL and enter promo code SPACE80 to get $80 off of your first month and show your support for the show.  

The Putty Man (Live from Madison)

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